From The Watergate Scandal to The Pentagon Papers, investigative journalism has served as a watchdog that keeps power structures in check and educates citizens about corruption and inequality.
Wright Thompson, author of “The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi,” spent four years combing through court files and land records to prove that what was known about the murder of Emmett Till was only scratching the surface.
In 2025, Possumtown Book Fest, an event hosted by Friendly City Books Community Connection, gave Columbus residents the opportunity to ask Thompson about his research’s findings face-to-face.
“Hearing him talk and seeing all of these people that came out to see him, I felt like that was a big, ‘Oh, I feel like I’m part of this community’ (moment),” said Rachael Damms, volunteer at the festival.
The event drew 1,200 attendees in 2025, and thanks to a grant from the Lowndes Community Foundation, organizers were able to add more speakers and more space for attendees for this year’s festivities, Friendly City Books Owner Emily Liner said.
“I’m hoping that trend keeps growing and that we could have as many as 1,500 people or more this year,” Liner said.
The third annual Possumtown Book Fest, which will host 24 local authors and more than 15 visiting authors, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Columbus Arts Council’s Rosenzweig Arts Center.
With writing workshops, keynote panels, children’s story times and more, the book fest invites literary connoisseurs of all ages and interests, Liner said.
“I really love seeing everyone from toddlers and babies attending story time to older adults who are there because they want to hear some of the speakers,” Liner said. “I think it’s fair to say that we probably have people from a few months old to over 80 or 90 years old at our book festival.”
While everyone has their own taste in books, Liner said the event provides readers with a space to meet new friends and build community.
“(Emily) does so much for the literary community in town. … I just want to give her flowers for all the work she does to have engaging events and bring people in the community together,” Damms said. “I’m really looking forward to this year and to coming years.”
Professor and Dean of Library Services at Mississippi University for Women Hillary Richardson attended last year and said she plans to return in August.
“I love the featured books in the shop, the sessions for kids and the variety of panels and authors invited,” Richardson wrote in an email to The Dispatch.
Film festival
In addition to the book fest, Friendly City Books Community Connection will host the first and only Possumtown Film Fest which was made possible by an America250 grant from an anonymous organization.
The film fest will have three screenings of films about Columbus, all of which will be announced at the book fest.
“I’d been wanting to do a film screening of some documentaries that are about Columbus so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to celebrate Columbus history as part of America’s history,” Liner said.
While organizers are still in the planning stage, Liner said each film will be screened at a unique location in an effort to bring different parts of the community together.
“We want every part of the city to feel like they are part of this,” Liner said.
Producers of chosen films will be invited, she said, with the hope that they will share insight about their work with attendees. Liner said more information about the film fest, including dates and locations, is coming soon.
Both festivals are free and open to the public, and their overall goal is to help people find common ground and camaraderie, Liner said.
“We really want this to be an opportunity for everyone in Lowndes County and beyond to come together,” Liner said.
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You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 24 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
