ELORA – The Elora Festival’s Annual Giant Book Sale has raised over $1 million since it was first held in 1989, said volunteer Jan Durban, who handles communications for the event.
The 33rd annual sale attracted thousands of people May 3 to 5, with lineups starting early Friday morning outside the Elora Curling Club where the event has been held since it first began.
Over $70,000 was raised this year, with attendees choosing from over 60,000 adult and children’s fiction and non-fiction books, games, DVDs, CDs and records.
“When we had our first sale, we only had enough books to fill up the lounge. We made $1,800. From there it grew exponentially,” said Jean Trask, a volunteer since the beginning.
Trask was on the Elora Festival board when fellow board member Mary Copp came up with the idea of the sale to raise funds for the festival.
Trask also credits Stan Jaychuck, another volunteer who was deeply committed to the cause.
“He did everything. Assessed the value of collector’s books and went from book sale to book sale. He was invaluable in the beginning,” Trask said.
Volunteer Lyn Schmeler explained it takes several steps to get books and other items into the hands of eager attendees.
It starts at the book depot shed, located at 380 St. Andrew St. W. in Fergus, where items are collected and stored throughout the year. The sorting process begins in June and is not finalized until days before the event.
Durban said about 30 volunteers work throughout the year, emptying the depot drop-off shed daily, and sorting books in the depot basement.
She noted about 70 volunteers help over the sale weekend.
“Kids from Portage help with the set-up and wrap-up too,” Durban said.
“The volunteers are amazing. They are the best I’ve ever worked with, and I’ve been volunteering for over 50 years. When they’re given a job, they get it done, and everybody gets along.”
The event attracts collectors and aficionados from all over Ontario and the U.S., said Durban.
“Some are there by nine in the morning on Friday. They bring their chairs and coolers, and all seem to know each other. It’s a social time too,” she said.
Friday night was especially busy.
“We couldn’t even take breaks,” Durban said.
Next year’s event will again take place the first weekend of May. Books, CDs, DVDs, games and records can be brought to the depot shed beginning June 1.
For Elora Festival events, visit elorafestival.ca.
