Book lovers rejoice over array of offerings at Bookfest
The collection of books on sale at the Butler Farm Show grounds gave Butler resident Elizabeth McGrady an overwhelming feeling when she walked in Friday afternoon.
“I feel like I died and went to heaven,” McGrady said. “I'm coming back tomorrow and bringing my friends.”
Karen Pierce, director of the Slippery Rock Community Library, helped organize the first-ever Butler County Bookfest this year. The event benefits all of the libraries in the Butler County system.
It began Wednesday and will run until 4 p.m. Sunday, and so far it has drawn crowds. The dozens of people browsing the books around the barn Friday had nothing but compliments about the sale, according to Pierce.
“They're all asking if we're going to do it again,” Pierce said. “We would love to have this every year.”
The books are provided by Ben Wilkinson, who operates a Franklin business — Mr. Bookman Inc. — that sells and supplies books for sales.
Wilkinson has been at several book sales in the past, and said people, book lovers especially, normally come out in droves.
“One guy has come every day so far,” Wilkinson said. “The record we had here was I think $300 worth of books.”
The books on sale will go down to a dollar Saturday, and then on Sunday, people will be able to fill a bag with books for $10, and a second bag will be $5.
Penny Milanovich, of Meridian, bought a stack of books Friday that required three different paper bags to carry.
“I'm retired and I read a lot,” Milanovich said. “I usually have to pay a lot for books.”
The Butler County Bookfest continues from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Saturday, and from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sunday at the Butler Farm Show exhibit hall in Connoquenessing Township.
