Mark Twain Library To Host 64th Annual Labor Day Weekend Book Fair In Redding

REDDING, CT — The Mark Twain Library will host its 64th annual Labor Day weekend book fair, a long-running fundraiser that has become a tradition in Redding.

The event, billed as one of the oldest and largest book fairs in New England, will be held Aug. 29 through Sept. 1 at the Redding Community Center. More than 60,000 donated books will be available for purchase, along with vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, sheet music, games and puzzles.

This year’s highlights include books donated by the Mary Travers estate, a large collection of Civil War history volumes, an extensive assortment of Beatles vinyl, numerous cookbooks, quilting books, photography and art titles, and a range of “Great Courses” lectures on CD and DVD. Organizers also noted a substantial number of Harlequin romance novels published between 2020 and 2025.

Admission is free, except for a $20 “early buying” session from 9 to 10 a.m. Friday. Regular hours are Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday is half-price day, and on Monday buyers can fill a provided box with books for $10.

The library, founded by Mark Twain in 1908, relies on the book fair as one of its principal fundraisers. Twain moved to Redding in 1907 and donated more than 1,000 books to establish the library.

The Redding Community Center is at 37 Lonetown Road. Credit cards will be accepted, food trucks will be on site, and parking is free.

More information is available at marktwainlibrary.org.