Insider’s guide to the Miami Book Fair’s street fair
Music, hands-on activities for kids, and plenty of books – that’s the recipe for the second weekend of the annual Miami Book Fair.
The popular street fair at the 42nd Miami Book Fair which takes place Friday through Sunday once again features booksellers and publishers, a writer’s row, and an artisanal marketplace lining the Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus.
Here are some insider tips to make the most of it.
Saturday Early-Bird Activation
Author sessions begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, but arriving early has its perks. The first 100 fairgoers to arrive by 9 a.m. will receive a free cup of coffee from Spillmug Coffee, courtesy of Focus Features’ upcoming film “Hamnet.”
Off the Shelf
The Book Fair’s mini music festival, Off The Shelf features DJs and live music, literary events and performances, art exhibitions and games and a food and drink court.
Highlights for Friday include music from Turntable Sharks (10 a.m.), Miami Beach Rock Ensemble (12:15 p.m.), West Little River Marching Band (1 p.m.). Saturday’s line-up includes Miami Girls Rock Camp (10:15 a.m.), Bop Shop Brass (11:15 a.m.), Shira Lee (4:15 p.m.), and Colombian-American singer Itawe (6:15 p.m.). On Sunday, it’s the Jazz Collective (10:30 a.m.), Yacht Rock Miami (12:30 p.m.), and closing out the day is The French Horn Collective (6 p.m.). That’s just a sampling. See the complete schedule at Off The Shelf
Sprinkled in with the musical groups is Typewriter Dreams: Teen Poetry Open Mic hosted by The Biscayne Poet at 11:30 a.m. on Friday and The Biscayne Poet himself, Oscar Fuentes, at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.
Children’s Alley
The Children’s Alley gets bigger and better each year and this year, there’s a brand-new Innovate! Canopy, a digital playground for kids.
Some of the highlights of Children’s Alley this year include, the Chill Zone with Frost Science (11:30 a.m., Friday), a percussion workshop where making noise is encouraged (noon, Friday), be a Lego engineer (2:30 p.m., Saturday) and battle robots. (4:30 p.m., Saturday).
Get all the details of the Children’s Alley here.
Insider’s Tip: Visit the Info Booth to pick up a Wordsmith Passport and complete activities around Children’s Alley to earn stamps and redeem for a free book.
If you go:
WHAT: Street Fair at Miami Book Fair
WHERE: Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, 300 NE Second Ave., Miami
WHEN: Gates open at 9 a.m., events and strolling begins at 10 a.m. through 7 p.m.
COST: Friday: free; Saturday-Sunday: $12, $7 senior (over 62); $5 for teens (ages 13 to 18); Free for children ages 12 and younger admitted and Miami Dade College students, faculty and staff with valid ID. Multi-day tickets are available.
INFORMATION: miamibookfair.com. Download the Miami Book Fair guide to map out the three street fair: www.miamibookfair.com/downloadable-guide
is a nonprofit media source for the arts featuring fresh and original stories by writers dedicated to theater, dance, visual arts, film, music and more. Don’t miss a story at www.artburstmiami.com.