3rd Annual 'Book Fair At Bel Air' Anticipates Thousands Of Patrons

BEL AIR, MD — A free family-friendly literacy event will be held next month with authors on hand, vendors, family activities, games and more.

The Book Fair at Bel Air 2026 will be held Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at APGFCU Arena at Harford Community College. Hosted by Book Fair at Bel Air, a Harford County-based 501(c)(3) literacy nonprofit, this year's event will feature more than 110 authors including nationally recognized wordsmiths Ruta Sepetys and Richard Chizmar.

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There also will be bookstore shopping, character visits, a free photobooth, face painting, games, prices, activities and interactive crafts.

Samantha Heil, founder and executive director of Book Fair at Bel Air, told Patch that the annual event launched in 2024.

"Our goal is to create a lasting literary tradition in Harford County that connects readers with authors and promotes a love of reading for all ages," Heil said. "Proceeds from the event support the organization's literacy initiatives, including community programming, book access efforts and future reading-focused events."

Eventgoers will find books for readers of all ages and interests with everything from children's books and middle grade novels to young adult fiction, romance, fantasy, suspense and more. Many authors will be signing books throughout the event, Heil noted.

"The books available for sale are supplied directly by participating authors, independent publishers and vendors. The event bookstore also carries titles from featured guests and other participating authors through wholesale purchasing partnerships," Heil told Patch.

The inaugural Book Fair at Bel Air event saw approximately 1,300 attendees, which nearly doubled for its second year. To accommodate for the explosive - and welcomed - growth of the event, organizers moved it to the APGFCU Arena at Harford Community College and increasing participation to more than 100 authors and vendors.

"Based on that growth, we anticipate welcoming more than 3,000 attendees this year," Heil said.

The free event welcomes everyone from the avid readers to aspiring writers to those simply looking for a fun family-friendly event, Heil noted.

"We're especially proud to showcase both nationally recognized authors and local talent while creating opportunities for readers to discover their next favorite book," Heil told Patch.