Barth Tribute in Cambridge

Tomorrow, the Cambridge branch of the Dorchester County Public Library will unveil a newly installed historic marker/interpretive sign honoring writer John Barth. Winner of the National Book Award and F. Scott Fitzgerald Award for Outstanding Achievement in American Fiction, Barth was born and raised in Cambridge. His debut novel, The Floating Opera, was set in Cambridge and much of his writing since then has been inspired by the Eastern Shore. The Barth sign is the first in Dorchester to honor a literary figure.

The unveiling ceremony begins at 4 pm on the lawn of the library at 303 Gay Street. The program will feature live music by jazz saxophonist Carl Grubbs, comments by local dignitaries, and remarks from Barth, who will be in attendance. Light refreshments will be served after the ceremony, which will be held rain or shine.

The Barth celebration will then continue along Race Street, as part of Main Street’s “Second Saturday” festivities. Bags of candy will be distributed at the former site of Whitey’s Candyland, which was operated by Barth’s father, near Craig’s Drug Store. Copies of Carl Grubbs’s new CD (Maryland Traditions in Jazz) and books autographed by Barth will be raffled off, as well.

Call the Cambridge library at 410-228-7331 for more information.