USM Gulf Park Campus hosts Edible Book Festival

You can have your book and eat it too at the University of Southern Mississippi’s Edible Book Festival.

Each year, faculty and students try their hand at recreating their favorite book out of food. The only requirements are that your piece be edible, related to your book of choice, and the number one rule: punny.

Romeo and Julien, Juliet’s balcony made completely of julienned vegetables and snacks, took home best in show at Gulf Park’s contest.

This contest lets people showcase their unique artwork alongside their favorite book. Edu and Human Science Librarian Justin Easterday said, “It is kind of using your creative mind that you do use when you read and you picture it in your head. And it is kind of that ‘let’s see what your creative mind pictured’. And so, we kind of want people to continue to do that. And with growing, it will kind of encourage readers to say ‘okay, this is my favorite book’ and if there’s a great kind of display it may encourage others to expand what they read.”

The Gulf Park Campus looks forward to more entries next year as they transition to an in-person competition.