Printers Row Lit Fest has become a yearly staple on my calendar. Founded in 1985, the Tribune Company bought it in 2002 and changed the name later. It is considered the Midwest’s largest free outdoor literary event. Several authors were on my “must-see” list.

Legendary radio personality John Landecker was promoting his book, Records Truly Is My Middle Name. For fans like me, who grew up listening to Landecker on WLS radio, this nostalgic romp through his life is fascinating.

Years ago, I worked on a literacy ad series with Chicago-born author Stacey Ballis. Ballis has written several novels and a couple cookbooks, including her latest, Big Delicious Life. Ballis admits to not being a professional chef, but she describes herself as a “meal innovator.”

Artist Tony Fitzpatrick is also an actor and playwright. His art has been displayed in the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Art Institute of Chicago. He also entertained Chicago radio listeners for years, especially discussing “quality kills” during his “Drive-In Reviews” segments.

I grew up watching Tim Weigel cover Chicago sports and now I am enjoying the work of his daughter, Jenniffer Weigel. The author and television reporter got me hooked with her first book, Stay Tuned, about communicating post-death with her father. She followed that book with two more wonderful books.

There are also many more authors, as well as panels, books, exhibits and other fun stuff to entertain kids and adults. I spent an entire beautiful spring day surrounded by literature of all sorts in the heart of Chicago.

— John Wroblewski, online contributor