Presidents Film and Literary Festival returns to Fremont

FREMONT — The inaugural American Presidents Film & Literary Festival went well last year, so the Hayes Presidential Library and its partners are bringing it back for a second term.Tickets are on sale for the festival, set for Oct. 3-6 in various Fremont locations. There will be movies, book discussions, a red carpet event with a keynote speaker, a cooking class with a former White House chef, lantern tours with costumed guides, an escape room for teens and quite a bit more.Last year's events drew about 250 people, Hayes Library spokeswoman Kristina Smith told the Register."We would like to increase attendance this year and continue to grow the festival," she said."The festival offers such a diversity of films and events that it appeals to cinema buffs, history buffs, book lovers and anyone interested in something unique to do," Smith said.Here are some of the highlights for the festival:• Several original films with a connection to the American presidency.They include short films about the Civil War and the Robert F. Kennedy funeral train, and also a feature film, "Raising Buchanan.""Raising Buchanan" is about a 40-year-old doughnut shop employee who has anger issues.The plot summary at the Internet Movie Database says, "Ever the opportunist and desperate for money, Ruth finds herself in a position to 'steal' the body of President James Buchanan. She does so, hoping to ransom him for a nice windfall -- but she's surprised to discover that no one seems particularly interested in getting him back.• A "Red Carpet Event" featuring a keynote talk by Adrian Miller, author of "The President's Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families, from the Washingtons to the Obamas." It's 5-7:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at The Strand Concert Theater in downtown Fremont.He'll give the inside scoop on how White House staffers worked to keep the presidents' families happy. The event also features posing for photos with cutouts of some of the presidents, a wine tasting and dinner.• John Moeller, White House chef for the two president Bushes and for Bill Clinton, will teach a cooking class in the kitchen of the Hayes Home.There will be plenty of other events, including the lantern tours, several more movies, a local author fair and wreath laying at the grave of President Rutherford B. Hayes.The festival is a collaboration of the Liberty and Learning Foundation, Fremont City Schools, Birchard Public Library and Hayes Presidential Library & Museums.For more, americanpresidentsfilmfestival.org. Guest enjoy the red carpet event at last year's festival in Fremont. In "Raising Buchanan," a doughnut shop employee steals President James Buchanan's body for ransom. The scheme does not go well.