Once-a-year Book Fair Continues Tradition Spanning Seven Centuries

 Book collectors, readers and just plain curious people will descend on the Douglas County Fairgrounds August 17 and 18 to enjoy an activity that began in Guttenberg’s time:  A book fair.
 The Rocky Mountain Book and Paper Fair attracts booksellers from around the country to bring their stock of books, posters, letters, photographs, scrapbooks and other interesting and unusual items.  The result is an immense bookstore with things visitors have never seen before and likely will never see again.  For collector and browser alike, it’s a special experience.
 “If you’ve never been to a bookfair, imagine finding 60 used bookstores under one roof, offering books and collectibles for all tastes and all budgets.  People who have never been to a bookfair are astounded by what they see.  People who have been to one before can’t wait to go again,” said book fair coordinator Carol Mobley.
 Bookfairs date to the Middle Ages when books were rare and expensive.  The first book fair was held in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1485.  Booksellers from all over Europe came to sell their books.  Colorado’s fair is now in its 40th year and is the largest bookfair in the Mountain time zone.
 An addition to this year’s fair is a special area where local and regional authors will be on hand to visit with fair-goers and talk about their books.
The fair is open Saturday, August 17 from 1 to 7 pm and Sunday, August 18, from 10 am to 4 pm.  Admission of $7 is good for both days.  The Douglas County Fairgrounds is at 500 Fairgrounds Rd., Castle Rock.      Refreshments are available.

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