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Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of The Great Gatsby at Meadowridge Library this Fall

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Celebrate 100 Years of The Great Gatsby at Meadowridge Library September 26 - October 17, 2025

MADISON, WI – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald was published on April 10, 1925, and has since become a timeless classic of American fiction that has gone on to inspire several film, television, and theater adaptations, as well as other writers around the world. Set in the Jazz Age on Long Island, The Great Gatsby depicts Nick Carraway's interactions with Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire looking to reunite with his former love, Daisy Buchanan.   

This year, from September 26 - October 17, Meadowridge Library is hosting a series of events in honor of the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby. 

“There have been events celebrating The Great Gatsby throughout the year at various literary establishments across the country. Hosting a local event seems like a great opportunity to connect with youth who may be reading the book for school, as well as generations of people who have read and loved it before,” said Meadowridge Library Supervisor Yesianne Ramirez. “It also gives us a chance to reinforce our ongoing literacy efforts with library visitors in a fun and accessible way.” 

Those who visit Meadowrige Library this fall can step into the glamor and decadence of The Great Gatsby during several events that will illuminate the Jazz Age, share more about the 1920s, and offer insights into some of the major themes in the book.  

Great Gatsby Anniversary Events: 

Tertulia: Conversations about Outcasts, Mavericks, Bohemians. The Great Gatsby*

Friday, September 26, 11am – 12pm

Conversations about outcasts, outsiders, mavericks, bohemians, and free thinkers. Join Meadowridge Library Supervisor Yesianne Ramirez for a different type of conversation each month. Conversations will be about authors, literature, film, art, philosophy, poetry, history, or popular culture. Sometimes we will have expert guests, topic aficionados, or other library staff passionate about the discussed topic. This is a meet-up space for curious people; you don’t need to be prepared or have read anything to attend. Registration for this event is required. Participants are encouraged to follow the conversation's ground rules, provided at the event. Participants can help select future conversation topics. This is a Spanish/English-friendly meeting. American Sign Language can be provided upon request.

Conversaremos sobre autores, literatura, cine, arte, filosofía, poesía, historia o cultura popular. En ocasiones, contaremos con invitados expertos, aficionados o personal bibliotecario apasionado por el tema. Éste es un espacio de encuentro para personas curiosas; no es necesario estar preparado ni haber leído nada para asistir. Favor de registrarse, espacio disponible para 10 personas. Le pedimos a los participantes seguir las reglas básicas de la conversación, se les proveera en el evento. Los participantes pueden ayudar a seleccionar futuros temas a discutir. Esta reunión es bilingüe en español e inglés.

 

Register for Tertulia: Great Gatsby

Meadowridge Book Club: The Great Gatsby

Monday, September 29, 5-5:45pm

In September, Meadowridge Book Club will be reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. A limited number of copies will be available at the library several weeks before the event itself. Light refreshments will be provided; no registration required. 

The Great Gatsby Film Screening*

Tuesday, September 30, 2-5pm

Join us for a screening of the 1974 film adaptation of The Great Gatsby directed by Jack Clayton and staring Francis Ford Coppola, Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. Screen time 149 min. 

Sign up for the Film Screening

The Great Gatsby: Cooking & Entertaining*

Saturday, October 4, 1-3pm

Celebrate the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby by stepping into the culinary world of the roaring 20s. With the Jazz Age as a backdrop, author Veronica Hinke will take us through the dishes and drinks that graced the tables of Jay Gatsby’s lavish parties. Throughout the program, nibble on finger sandwiches, lemon cake, and other foods Gatsby served Daisy at afternoon tea in Nick’s cottage. 

Register for The Great Gatsby: Cooking & Entertaining

Escape the Gatsby Mansion*

Saturday, October 11, 10am – 2pm

Come accompanied by a trusted group of friends to help you solve Gatsby's mystery. You will be a journalist on a secret mission, visiting Jay Gatsby's famous parties. Your mission? Discover who Gatsby really is! You'll have15 minutes in his study to discover clues during a fireworks display. Don't lose time and find out the truth before Gatsby catches you in the act! 

Register for the Escape Room in a 20 min. timeslot between 10am and 1:30pm. Come with a group of up to 5 people ages 8 and up. 

Gatsby Games

Saturday, October 11, 10am – 2pm

While you wait your turn for the escape room, explore a variety of games that were popular in the 1920s: pick-up sticks, hopscotch, jacks, and more! Get crafty and create a flapper-inspired headband or fold a paper hat. All ages welcome; no registration required. 

Jazz Era Speakeasy

Friday, October 17, 6-7:45pm

Enter the Jazz Age at Meadowridge Library and enjoy music, mocktails, Gatsby trivia and other activities. The library is celebrating 100 years of The Great Gatsby with a 1920s-themed, family-friendly "speakeasy" featuring music by The Neil Daily Quintet. Don't let it pass, and come dressed in your best 20s costumes to enjoy an evening of Gatsby-themed fun. No registration required.

*Event requires registration

Learn more and sign up for events at madpl.org/greatgatsby

This programming is made possible thanks to the Madison Public Library Foundation. 

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