It’s back — the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System’s Edible Book Festival. Imaginative book fans are encouraged to register by April 4 to enter the festival to be held from 4-6 p.m. April 12 at the library. It’s tasty entertainment and part of a celebration of National Library Week. Submissions are encouraged from the general public, local bakeries and restaurants.

Edible entries should be made of food and inspired by literary titles, characters or authors. They can be simple or ornate. Submissions may be literal, as in recreating a book cover, or more tongue-in-cheek, as several of last year’s entries were.

Last spring’s inaugural festival drew 12 entries ranging from foodie interpretations of books such as “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “A Million Little Pieces” to “Lonesome Dove.” Rachel Pitman’s cake interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” was awarded Best in Show.

“Participants and visitors alike were thrilled at seeing last year’s fun and witty creations,” said library archivist Mona Vance-Ali. “We hope to see even more on showcase this year.”

Since its inception in 1999, the International Edible Book Festival is held annually on or around April 1, the birthday of Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin (1755-1826), the French author of a witty book on food entitled “Physiologie du gout.” Dozens of libraries and cultural organizations around the world have held their own festivals to celebrate his work.

Registration deadline is Wednesday, April 4. Entry forms may be picked up at the library located at 314 Seventh St. N., or obtained by contacting Vance-Ali at 662-329-5304 or [email protected].

Examples of edible books from the University of Southern Mississippi’s Edible Book Festival can be found at http://bit.ly/2ocZPW7 as well as on Pinterest.

Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.