55th Annual Mark Twain Book Fair Slated for Labor Day Weekend

Written by Maggie McIntire

Mark Twain once said, “Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience” are the keys to an ideal life. Find all three in abundance during the Mark Twain Library’s 55th Annual Book Fair, one of the oldest and largest and a signature fundraiser for the Library.

For four days over Labor Day weekend, from Friday, September 4 to Monday, September 7, the Redding Community Center on Lonetown Road is transformed by an army of volunteers into a “storehouse” of bargain-priced books, with miles of items – nearly 60,000 – all organized and categorized for convenient shopping.

“We are proud to say our book fair has the reputation as one of the best,” said Ginny Beasley, co-chair of the Library’s Book Fair Committee. “People travel from Maine to Maryland to find the bargains and the rare treasures that the Mark Twain Library Book Fair always has in abundance.”

Opening day is Friday, September 4, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the first hour, (from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.), there is a $15 admission charge and tickets for that hour will be available starting at 7 a.m. (Book dealers start lining up the night before for the opportunity to get first dibs!). There will also be a special afterschool “Children’s Event” that afternoon from 2:30 to 6 p.m. On Saturday, September 5 the Fair will operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, September 6, will be “Half-Price Day” and the Fair will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Monday, September 7, the Fair will operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday will be “Boxing Day” and items will be sold for $10 a box.

Refreshments will be available for sale, there is plenty of free parking, and credit cards are welcomed. All proceeds benefit the Mark Twain Library. The Mark Twain Library is owned by the Mark Twain Library Association. It was founded in 1908 by Samuel Clemens – Mark Twain himself – one of Redding’s most celebrated residents.