YSU English Festival is an annual program that aims to promote reading and writing among students from Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. Sponsored by Youngstown State University, this unique program reaches out to approximately 3,000 junior and senior high school students, their teachers and parents, area librarians, and other community members interested in cultivating literacy skills. To attend the festival, students must read seven books throughout the year, monitored by their teachers.

In addition, students can participate in the Candace Gay Memorial Essay Contest and the Festival Art Contest. Thousands of students engage in various activities such as listening to renowned authors, writing impromptu essays, collaborating in workshops, attending performances, and participating in book discussions and language games. The festival is so large that it spans three days, with different groups of students attending each day.

YSU English Festival is a transformative event that leaves a lasting impact on participants, fostering a love for reading and writing