Back to the Book Fair

Austin's new School-tastic Book Fair brings adults back to grade school

That book fair feeling isn't only for kids.

Austin readers are invited to step back into the past with an adults-only tribute to a common object of nostalgia: the Scholastic Book Fair. The local event, called The School-tastic Book Fair for Grown-Ups, will take place October 19 at the Baker Center, a repurposed Austin school, and will feature independent bookstores from around town.

Decor will complete the immersion and visions of novelty erasers will dance in attendees' heads.

Since it is a fair and not just a sale, shoppers can expect to meet nonprofit book partners, win prizes from the Austin Chronicle, participate in a raffle benefiting the AISD (Austin Independent School District) Austin Ed Fund, get book-themed flash tattoos from Serenity Tattoo Studio, and eat "nostalgic treats" from food trucks, according to the Eventbrite page.

There will also be non-alcoholic beverages — Capri Sun, SunnyD and Yoo-hoo — and tunes from the 80s and 90s curated by DJ Bert and DJ Dana Scully. Attendees can mark the occasion with a school portrait.

Participating independent bookstores and publishers include:

Bookwoman
Reverie Books
Birdhouse Books & Gifts
Host Publications
Flutter Romance Bookseller
Austin Books & Comics
Vintage Bookstore & Wine Bar
Livra Books
Curio Mrvosa Books & More
First Light Books
The Little Gay Shop
Paper Place
American Short Fiction
Humans Write
Read Write Austin

"I'm a huge fan of all the independent local bookstores we have here in Austin and our surrounding cities," says event organizer and former CultureMap Austin editor Michael Graupmann. "I love the character that they all bring to their shops through their events and their book selections, so I wanted to highlight what makes these stores so unique to folks who might not be familiar with them."

Graupmann says since this is the first time he's holding the event, he curated the participants based on who he already knew the best and who was ready first. He also organizes a storytelling series for KUT that largely focuses on nostalgia, making this just another step in the same direction with help from friends. He calls it "chasing that Scholastic Book Fair high."

It's not just about the nostalgia; funds raised will support the Austin Ed Fund, which AISD uses to maintain public and private partnerships, support college, career, and life prep, and offer crisis assistance to families. They're the "special projects for the students most in need across the Austin Independent School District," according to Graupmann.

"Additionally, we have a couple of amazing nonprofit partners who will be present to represent adult literacy as well," he says. "The Austin Public Library will be present signing folks up for library cards, and Inside Books Project will be collecting books and sharing their mission of increasing adult literacy amongst incarcerated populations."

Tickets ($14.64) to the School-tastic Book Fair for Grown-Ups are available on Eventbrite. The event will run from 2-8 pm in The Cafetorium at the Baker School (3908 Avenue B.).

books reading sales shopping

Kicker

Christmas goes Celtic at Austin-area Renaissance fair grounds

Sherwood Forest Faire Yuletide Festival 2024

Photo courtesy of Sherwood Forest Faire

Participants at last year's inaugural Yuletide Festival.

This holiday season, the rolling woods of McDade will trade their usual medieval flair for something a little more jolly, and a lot more Celtic. The Sherwood Celtic Yuletide Festival will return December 12-14, transforming the grounds of the beloved Sherwood Forest Faire into a winter weekend of music, merriment, and holiday magic.

Just 35 miles east of Austin, Sherwood has long been a favorite getaway for Renaissance fans and families craving something immersive. But this special Yuletide event adds in a dash of holiday magic and the Scottish Highlands to the the already transportive atmosphere.

Guests can expect Highland Games like Scottish hammer swinging, shot put, and the legendary caber toss (a traditional Scottish game where competitors through giant tapered logs called "cabers" around), plus live falconry experiences and regular faire events like artisan shopping, archery, and live music.

To round it all out, Santa Claus will make a grand entrance by horse-drawn carriage, tossing candy to the crowd. He’ll also meet children with Mrs. Claus, while Sherwood photographers snap family portraits free of charge.

“It’s a really special event. We have about 80 artisans selling crafts, so it’s a really nice marketplace to buy Christmas presents," said Sherwood Forest Faire co-founder George Appling in a press release.

The lineup leans heavily into traditional Irish and Scottish music with one of the biggest draws being The Byrne Brothers, a high-energy Irish family band with a cult-like following. Killian's Angels, a Las Vegas-based Celtic band, will also take the stage with a blend of violin, tin whistle, guitar, and mandolin.

“The bands are amazing and are the kind of bands people in Texas won’t be able to see live anywhere else,” Appling added. And for those who want something seasonal to sip on while they listen, Sherwood has you covered.

“It's very rare to be able to go to a bar and buy warm, spiced Mead," said Appling, "but you can do that at this show.”

Sherwood Forest Faire launched its first Celtic music festival in 2011, but it was only decided last year to push it back from September to December and add in the "Yuletide" theme.

“For three years in a row, it was 103 degrees during the music festival, so it made sense to move it to December when it's cool, but not uncomfortable," Appling explained. "You can have your warm mead, you can wear your cloak if you want to. It's really nice."

Though it's only the second year, it's probably an easy adjustment for attendees: Crisp winter air, costumes, and a fairy-tale setting should make the whole place feel like a Celtic holiday village.

Tickets, including day passes, weekend passes, and camping, are available online starting at $12.50.

holidays renaissance faire celtic