festival

So maybe it doesn't rock out quite as much as Philly's upcoming 215 Festival. But what the 215 has in cool quotient, the 856's weeklong Collingswood Book Festival has in small-town charm. All along Haddon Avenue, from the library to the ice cream parlor, it's all about the book.

Several cookbook-related events will please foodies. A Chef's Table's Lari Robling leads ice-cream-making demonstrations at The Pop Shop, a retro soda fountain/diner co-owned by local writer and publisher Connie Correia Fisher (Tue., Sept. 27). Aliza Green discusses the versatile bean in conjunction with her new cookbook, called, well, Beans (Oct. 1, 3 p.m.).

At the all-day outdoor fest on Sat., Oct. 1, three tents full of scribes offer opportunities to meet and greet. Inky writer David Hiltbrand wants you to buy his music-industry-based thrillers Deader Than Disco and Killer Solo, but it's probably OK if you ask about his stint writing for All My Children (2 p.m.). Former Marine Jack Carty has co-written Flame Dragons of the Korean War, about his little-known combat unit (10 a.m.). Meet Melissa Jacobs, self-professed Jersey girl and former PR whiz, who's written Lexi James and the Council of Girlfriends (10:15 a.m.). And Larry Kane apparently has more to say about the Beatles; he unveils his new book, Lennon Revealed (11 a.m.). Also on tap for the big day: Tanya Barrientos, Karen E. Quinones Miller (pictured), Jill Herbers, Sam Carchidi and a slew of children's authors, as well as an open-mic poetry event, lectures, book stalls, rare book appraisals and more.

And in this suburban idyll, let's not forget the lemonade stand. When not selling cups of the sweet stuff for cancer research, Liz and Jay Scott will be signing copies of their new book in honor of their daughter, Alex and the Amazing Lemonade Stand. C'mon, you know you're thirsty.

Collingswood Book Festival, Mon.-Sat., Sept. 26-Oct. 1, Haddon Avenue, Collingswood, N.J. Visit www.collingswoodbookfestival.com for a full schedule of events.