Printers Row Lit Fest
The Midwest's Largest Literary Event! June 9 - 10, 2012
The Printers Row Lit Fest, otherwise known as the Midwest's largest literary event, is set for June 9 - 10, 2010. Once again, Open Books is the official nonprofit sponsor, and they are looking for over 200 dedicated, enthusiastic and hardworking volunteers to make this event run smoothly. Learn more and sign up now!
What is the Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Fest?
The Printers Row Lit Fest was founded in 1985 by the Near South Planning Board to attract visitors to the Printers Row neighborhood (once the city's bookmaking hub). By 2002, it had grown to five city blocks (on Dearborn, from Congress to Polk), attracting more than 200 booksellers from across the country displaying new, used and antiquarian books, and featuring more than 100 free literary programs.
As part of its ongoing commitment to the written word and its support of literacy and literary endeavor, the Chicago Tribune purchased the Printers Row Book Fair in 2002 from the Near South Planning Board. Recently renamed to be the Printer's Row Lit Fest, it is considered the largest free outdoor literary event in the Midwest-drawing more than 125,000 book lovers to the two-day showcase.
Cost?
Free!
Where is it?
The Fest is located on historic Printers Row - 700 S. Dearborn St.
The CTA Trip Planner
- CTA Trains - Red Line to Harrison, Blue Line to Jackson, Orange and Brown Lines to Library/State and Van Buren, or the Green Line to Adams/Wabash.
- Riding the Bus? Hit the CTA Bus Tracker
- Driving? ParkWhiz.com may help you find parking with their cool online tools.
What to expect:
Books for sale, author readings, cooking demonstrations and children's activities.
Looking for a good book? In addition to the massive sales, this event includes the opportunity to hear readings and panel discussions from some of the country's most respected authors.
The Fair will have a multitude of stages with more than 100 free literary programs, drawing upwards of 90,000 people. There will be more than 150 new, used and antique booksellers on hand as well. Authors will be available to sign books throughout the weekend. All events are first come, first served, except for those at the Harold Washington Library, which require tickets. Children's events such as participatory storytelling and and music will take place in Kids Alley.
Who exhibits?
Booksellers, publishers, literacy and cultural organizations sell and promote books and book-related merchandise and distribute related information. Many of the independent booksellers participating in the Fest represent the diverse ethnic and cultural communities of the Chicagoland area and sell books of different languages and genres.
Who is speaking at the Fest?
Panels and events are held on many stages, featuring experts on an array of topics such as politics, sports, children's storytelling, science and much more.
How can I attend any of the events?
Admission to all Fest events is free and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Only events at Harold Washington Library Center require tickets.
Will I have a chance to have one of my books signed?
All Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Fest authors are asked to remain after their event for at least one hour to sign copies of their books at official Fest book-signing areas. For each author event, the Fest steering committee selects an exhibitor to sell the books.
What do you have for children?
The Chicago Tribune Printers Row Lit Fest will include the exciting Kids Corner, presented by Shedd Aquarium, where kids and parents can enjoy storytelling, costumed characters, performances, sing-alongs, and special activities coordinated by educational and cultural groups.
In addition to panel discussions held throughout Printers Row Lit Fest weekend, other events will be held at the Harold Washington Library Center. Events at the Harold Washington Library Center are free, but do require advance registration.
_
Printer's Row, also known as Printing House Row, is one of Chicago's relatively newer residential neighborhoods Located south of the Chicago downtown area known as the Loop. It is bounded by Congress Parkway on the north, Polk Street on the south, Plymouth Court on the east, and the Chicago River on the west. This neighborhood overlaps significantly with the officially designated landmark Printing House Row District. Just to the south of the District is Dearborn Station, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally, printing and publishing businesses was the primary use for buildings in this area.
Printer's Row is zoned to the following Chicago Public Schools campuses: South Loop School and Phillips Academy High School. The area has also recently become a more student-oriented center with the addition of the University Center housing over 3,000 college students in dorm and apartment style units. Colleges nearby in the area include Roosevelt University, Columbia College, Robert Morris College, and DePaul University.
The Printing Hub of the Midwest
After the completion of Dearborn Station in 1885, this area in the southern part of the Loop became the printing center of the Midwest. The heart of Printer's Row—a two-block area between Congress Parkway and Polk Street along Dearborn—features examples of the First Chicago School of Architecture, including the Duplicator Building (1886) and the Pontiac Building (1891). In the 1950s and 1960s, Chicago printers moved to suburban locations and the southern states. In the In the late 1970s developers began to notice the classic charm of the Printers Row neighborhood and proceeded to convert the old publishers and presses such as the Donohue Building and Dearborn Street Station into lofts, condominiums and businesses.
Home Sweet Home
Today, residents are attracted to the area by its nearness to the Loop (You can walk to your neighborhood coffee shop have a chat and then walk to work!) and Lake Michigan. Printer's Row feels like a small, family-oriented neighborhood. It is a self-contained community, with a flower shop, a day spa, dry cleaners, restaurants, a coffee shop, a tavern, a wine shop, convenience stores, community center, realtors, several bookshops of course, and the luxurious Hilton Chicago Hotel. In the early evening, the Printer’s Row neighborhood is alive with neighborhood people visiting small bookstores and boutique shops. The most valuable resource in the Printer’s Row neighborhood is the close-knit community. Everyone knows everyone else. This is one of the most precious aspects of the neighborhood.
Printer’s Row retains its connection to its literary history with an Annual Book Fair held each June. The Printers Row Book Fair was founded in 1985 by the Near South Planning Board and has since grown to five city blocks (on Dearborn, from Congress to Polk), attracting more than 190 booksellers from across the country displaying new, used and antiquarian books, and featuring seven stages with more than 90 free literary programs. Panels and events are held on eleven stages, featuring experts on an array of topics such as politics, sports, children's storytelling, science and much more It is considered the largest free outdoor literary event in the Midwest-drawing more than 90,000 book lovers to the two-day showcase.
Transportation
By Bus:
#62, 36, 22 or 42 on State Street to Polk or Harrison, walk 1 block west to Dearborn Street.
#12 to Roosevelt & State, walk 4 blocks north to Polk, 1 block west to Dearborn.
#151 to Adams & Dearborn, walk 3 blocks south to Congress.
By Subway:
Red Line - Harrison & State, exit and walk 1 block west to Dearborn.
Blue Line - Jackson & Dearborn, exit and walk 2 blocks south to Congress.
Orange, Brown and Purple Lines - Library/State & Van Buren. Dearborn is directly south.
Green Line - Adams & Wabash, exit and walk west to Dearborn, 3 blocks south to Congress.
By Car:
Located in the South Loop area of Chicago, Printers Row is a hub for three main roadways.
The Dan Ryan Expressway (I-90/94) from the south, the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) from the north meet at the Eisenhower (I-290). Take Congress Pkwy/ Chicago Loop exit. Go east on Congress to Dearborn.
Suggested Parking:
Printers Square Garage - 75 E. Harrison
Harrison & Clark Lot - 605 S. Clark St.
Clark St. Parking - 430 S. Clark St.
Hilton Chicago Garage - 720 South Michigan
System Parking - 331 S. Plymouth Ct