Founders Book Fair ready to roll

Thousands of people are expected at the annual Book Fair held at Nelson City Council’s Founders Heritage Park. It starts on Queens Birthday weekend, Saturday 4 June and runs until Sunday 12 June. All the roads are expected to be open around Founders Heritage Park in time for the event.

The Founders Book Fair has been supported by the Nelson community since it began in 1988. The annual fair is a great way to recycle unwanted books. You can drop off pre loved books to the windmill 7 days a week throughout the year, to be sorted for the following book fair.

A group of 12 dedicated volunteers spend two days a week sorting and categorising over 40 tonnes of books, throughout the year in preparation for the big event. Paperbacks, hardbacks and magazines are sorted into up to 50 different categories. Volunteer numbers will be boosted by a large number of additional helpers during the final preparatory days, and at the fair itself. It will be all hands on deck to ensure that over 100 trestle tables are replenished regularly to ensure an excellent selection of books is available throughout the entire 9-day event.

Each year the Book Fair brings in significant levels of income for improvements to Founders Park. This year’s income will assist in paying off the cost of the developments completed over the last 12 months, including a new book sorting room, new toilets and increased display area at Mechanic’s Lane. Facilities have also improved with increased chairs and tables and new projectors and screens now available in the various venues

Prices start at 50 cents for some paper backs and the Jaycee Room will again be solely dedicated to children’s books priced from 20 cents.

This year the Book Fair has plenty of autographed copies of rugby books for sale for sports fans, alongside an excellent stock of collectible and rare books.

Book Fair single day passes are $2 at the windmill, or $5 for a nine day fair pass. Doors will be open 10am to 4.30pm daily.