An island tradition of more than 50 years, the Orcas Library Fair is a time to buy quality books at low prices, explore craft booths, and eat delicious food.
Thousands of locals and visitors will flock to the Village Green on Saturday, Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Library; it previous years it has brought in around $20,000, which goes to the library.
“We’re a taxing district, so we have a stable income, but this is still really helpful,” library director Phil Heikkinen said. “Some of the money goes into a capital project fund and the rest goes to the library. This year it has funded ESL classes through Skagit Valley College and is helping to fund the Orcas Storyfest and the Writers Festival. Usually about 10 or so programs receive money. That’s nothing to sneeze at. It’s three percent of our operating budget. Plus, the friends gives us money throughout the year for special needs.”
There are several components to the library fair: the book sale, where everything from kids books to cookbooks is sold for prices that range from 50 cents to $2; craft, food, and non-profit booths; entertainment; two silent auctions; and a quilt raffle.
The book sale has around 10,000 books that have been donated or are library discards. Many have been barely read. The sale brings in about $15,000.
In addition to a variety of food and local crafts, visitors can browse informational booths from island non-profits. Children can set up booths for free; some donate their proceeds to the Friends, while others choose to keep it.
“There are some kids who are regulars and set up their booth like everyone else,” Heikkinen said.
Art is on display now at the library for the silent auction. Bids can be made before the event or during the day. There is a Pablo Picasso print; a Frank Lloyd Wright stained glass panel; prints by M.C. Escher and Pierre Bonnard, plus a collection of 17 lithographs in a signed book (limited edition of 100 copies). Many local artists have contributed to the auction, including Joe Floren, Will Trogden, Frank Loudin and Andrea Hendrics. There will also be a silent auction at the fair of gift certificates and items from local businesses.
The raffle quilt is also on display at the library; tickets may be purchased there or at the fair. The quilt was a collaboration by many Orcas Island quilters, with Linda Bryant coordinating the
project. Each woman completed a block and sent it to Bryant for assembly. The Board of the Friends of the Orcas Island Library said they are very proud of the excellent quilting skills exhibited in this project. The quilters were Irene Anda, Mari Gardner, Lynn Thomerson, Beth Lorenzen, Betty Marcum, Sami Messinger, Ellen Harboe, Wanda Ryberg, Betty Hall, Jan McCorison, Sandi McVay, Harriet Miller, Sara Hedberg, Jean Okuniewicz, Barbara Wixom, Ruth Vandestraat, Carol Sutton, Elle Romick, Cathy Roselli, Jeannie Hofmann, Kathy Stribling, Sheila Gaquin, and Ida Gatlin.
The Library Fair is made possible by more than 80 volunteers. James and Lynn Lobdell have been involved with the event for eight years, and for the past five seasons, James has been chair.
“The fair has been going on for 54 years, so it has a lot of history,” he said. “I’m the third generation in my family who has helped out with it. It has something for everyone. There are great prices on good books, entertainment, and nice August weather. And it supports our local library, which seems to be a popular institution in our community.”
