Harlem Book Fair on Long Island set to draw book lovers

Contact Joysetta Pearse

Harlem Book Fair on Long Island

P. O. Box 7385

Freeport, New York 11520-0757

516.8677480 (Tel)

516.908.4077 (Fax)

HBFLI@optonline.net


Freeport, Long Island - Harlem Book Fair on Long Island set to draw several thousand booklovers


The Third Harlem Book Fair on Island is set to draw several thousand book lovers to Long Island September 15 through September 17, 2005. The Harlem Book Fair on Long Island attracted over participants to last year's Book Fair. The African Atlantic Genealogical Society will be hosting the Harlem Book Fair on Long Island on Saturday, September 17, 2004. The book fair was established in Harlem in 1998, by Max Rodriguez, publisher of QBR the Black Book Review. It has been held annually in Harlem, New York City, since then. Other venues have been established in cities across the country (i.e.) San Diego, CA, Boston, MA; Chicago,IL; etc. Long Island became an additional venue in 2003.


The book fair will be held outdoors on the patio. (In case of inclement weather, it will be held in the gymnasium.) There will be an "Open Mike", a Writers Workshop, and Panel Discussions. Popular authors will be available for book signing. The day's events include a Children’s Pavilion, where authors of children’s books will read from, or talk about, their works. Storytellers, clowns, and a stilt-walker will entertain the children. The book fair is free, and open to the public.


Events preceding the book fair are: Thursday, September 15, at 6:30 p.m., there will be a lecture by Christopher Benson, author of Death of Innocence: the Story of the Hate Crime that Changed America. Death of Innocence was written in collaboration with the late Mamie Till-Mobley. It relates the tragic story of her son, Emmet Till, whose murder was a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement of the ‘60s. The lecture will be held at the Freeport Recreation Center.

On Friday, September 16, from 6:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., there will be a gala Authors Reception at the African American Museum of Nassau County, 110 North Franklin Street, Hempstead NY. A buffet dinner will be served and the authors will be present for signing. Music will be provided by Chuk Fowler and Higher Energy. Donation $35.00, advance sales only. For reservations call Blondell Davis at 516-345-0200.

The hosting of the Harlem Book Fair on Long lsland is made possible by supporters: Verizon, Freeport Memorial Library, Freeport Recreation Center, and Astoria Federal Savings.