General Info
All book fair events are happening between First Church Belfast (vendor taabling) and the Basil Burwell (“The Baz”) / Belfast Maskers’ Theater (talks), both located at the intersection of Court and Spring Streets in Belfast, ME, on Penobscot land. More specifics about each location is below.
The vendors and organizations tabling at the First Church Belfast are listed here. A program schedule will be updated here, and a paper version will be available on site at the book fair. Programming will take place in the well ventilated halls of the Basil Burwell/ Maskers Theater.
Book fair organizers and volunteers will be we wearing lanyards to identify themselves, if you need anything or have concerns. There is also a blue info desk outside the entrance to the First Church.
We’re sorry but only service animals are allowed inside the venues. (Yes, even if your dog is small, cute, well-behaved, etc.)
Childcare
Children are welcome throughout the book fair. Childcare will be available Saturday, August 22 (only!) on the ground floor of the church from 11am – 5pm. More information about childcare is available here.
Interpretation
There will be limited sign language interpretation at the book fair. We will continue to update this page as we learn more about interpretation availability and logistics. Please reach out and let us know what you need, and help inform what we provide.
Medical and First Aid
Please avoid strongly scented perfumes, body products, and laundry soaps at the book fair.
A staffed first-aid station will be located at the blue info desk outside the entrance to the First Church. There first aid volunteers available throughout the book fair as well as a safety team.
Masking at the book fair
The book fair is a masked event. We ask that you bring your own if possible, but KN95 masks will be available at the blue info desk on the day of the fair. Hand sanitizer will also be available. If you have symptoms of illness, we ask that you please do not attend the book fair.
Masks are required for
1) ages 7 up,
2) in all indoor book fair event spaces (First Church and the Basil Burwell Theater),
3) except for kids in the children’s area, where childcare volunteers will remain masked,
4) except for interactions that require lip reading or voice amplification.
We are working on a plan to support people who lip read as well as people who cannot wear masks due to access needs. Check in at the welcome/ info desk when you arrive at the book fair so we can let you know what the plan is for you to have a positive, welcoming book fair experience!
We understand that to require masks may seem controversial to some, but if participation in our space under these conditions proves a real obstacle to you, please get in touch to discuss alternatives!
VENUE INFO
First Church
The entrance at 55 Spring Street Belfast, ME 04915 is ADA accessible.
Accessible parking is available close by at 8 Court Street Belfast, ME 04915.
The ground level is where childcare is located (see more info about childcare in the Childcare tab of the website). The ground level is accessible from the entry without an incline or stairs. Some vendor tables will also be located outdoors on the lawn, which is uneven but gently sloping ground.
The second floor is where indoor vendors are located. In addition to stairs, there is a lift on the inside of the church building, to the right, which can take attendees up to the second floor and vendor hall.
For safe use, the lift requires a trained attendant to assist at the top and the bottom. Please chat with the folks at the blue info desk if you plan to access the lift and they will make sure it is attended by a trained volunteer to help you.
Private gender-neutral bathrooms are available on both floors of the hall, although the upstairs bathroom may be less accessible by wheelchairs.
Changing stations are available in at least one of the bathrooms.
Basil Burwell (“The Baz”) / Belfast Maskers’ Theater
The entrance is at 17 Court Street Belfast, ME 04915.
Accessible parking is located on the right side of the theater, with a low incline from the street nearby to the front entry.
Book fair programming will take place on the upper (theatre) and lower (lounge) levels. Inside from the entry, there are stairs to go up to the theatre or down to the lounge. An elevator is also freely available for attendees to use to get to the upstairs theatre or the downstairs lounge.
Single stall gender-neutral bathrooms are available on the entry level and lounge floors. The lounge bathroom has a step up and is not accessible via wheel chair.
For any further questions, please email us! blackcatbookfair@proton.me