News Summary
The Bow Market Book Fair returns, featuring a theme of ‘Reading as an Act of Resistance’. The event offers author panels, signings, and activities for children. Local businesses support the fair with themed offerings. Entry is free, promoting community engagement around literature and social justice.
Somerville, MA – The sixth annual Bow Market Book Fair is set to take place this Saturday, featuring a variety of literary activities, author panels, signings, and charity events. This year’s fair celebrates the empowering theme of “Reading as an Act of Resistance.” The event is expected to draw between 3,000 and 5,000 attendees, promising a lively atmosphere in the vibrant Bow Market.
The fair will kick off at 9:30 a.m. and continue until 5:00 p.m., followed by an after-party from 7:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in the Upstairs at Bow. Local businesses have devised special offerings for the fair, including themed cocktails and meals, ensuring a festive environment for all participants.
This year’s fair has been organized through a collaboration between notable local businesses, including Tiny Turns Paperie, All She Wrote Books, Side Quest Books, and Read My Lips. The inaugural fair, held in March 2020, was the last event to take place at Bow Market before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Activities at the fair will include bookseller pop-ups, an engaging author panel titled “Writing as an Act of Resistance” at Union Tavern, and author signings scheduled for the Remnant Tap Room from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Featured authors set to participate include Luna McNamara, Tara Tai, and Aislinn Brophy, among others. Tickets are required for the author panel, which will delve into the significance of writing in the context of resistance.
Additionally, there will be an interactive story time for children, showcasing various children’s books, as well as outdoor activities like crafts and postcard-making if weather permits. Read My Lips will host a pop-up bookstore in Dearly Studio from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., offering visitors a chance to explore diverse book selections.
Saus at Bow Market will conduct its annual cookbook swap, where attendees can exchange or buy used cookbooks, while All She Wrote Books will be fundraising for the Friends of the Somerville Public Library alongside other participating vendors such as the Narrative Bookshop and Somerville Public Library. Vendors like Lend A Hand Designs and Indestructible Food will present book-themed market offerings, adding to the rich local culture celebrated at the fair.
Entry to the Bow Market Book Fair is free, making it accessible to all community members. To enhance the experience, Tiny Turns Paperie will hold a sidewalk sale, donating proceeds to 826 Boston, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting students with their writing skills. Furthermore, Side Quest will offer used books with proceeds benefiting the ACLU, reinforcing the fair’s commitment to social justice initiatives.
During the after-party, proceeds will support the We Need Diverse Books campaign, and guests will have a chance to participate in a trivia event hosted by Mx. Mingle. A charity raffle will provide opportunities for attendees to win prizes during trivia breaks and at the kickoff of the after-party, creating an additional layer of excitement and engagement.
The Bow Market Book Fair will be located at 1 Bow Market Way in Union Square, Somerville. This year’s event promises to bring the community together, encouraging a love for literature and supporting important charitable causes.
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Additional Resources
- Cambridge Day: Sixth Annual Bow Market Book Fair
- Wikipedia: Book Fair
- Boston Globe: Boston Author Events Through July 19
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Book Festival
- Boston.com: The Ultimate Guide to Independent Bookstores 2024
- Google Search: Book Fair
- WMAR2 News: Authors Speak Out After Baltimore Book Festival
