We’re inspired by you
On June 8 and 9, Byline was honored to join with the Near South Planning Board (NSPB) and other community leaders to celebrate the 35th annual Printers Row Lit Fest. Byline was so inspired to be a part of this remarkable local event last year that we returned as a booth sponsor for this summer’s festivities, too.
The Fest has become one of Chicago’s landmark kickoffs of the summer season and now stretches the length of Dearborn Street, from Ida B. Wells Drive all the way to Polk. And to anyone who thinks the printed word is obsolete, the 125,000 book lovers who flock to the two-day festival—which is the largest free literary event in the Midwest—clearly demonstrate otherwise.
This year, Dearborn branch Byliners were especially proud to take a neighborhood-branch lead when it came to manning the booth, although Byline volunteers happily came from across Chicagoland to show our support for the Fest…and to take part in the weekend’s activities!
And it was hopping at the Byline booth: authors Juliet McDaniel and Kelly Russell were on hand to sign copies of their books, Mr. and Mrs. American Pie and A Girl’s Guide to Chicago, while event-goers were both enthusiastic and thoughtful about their responses to our Inspired BY Wall question: “What book inspired you this year?”
Byliners passed out promo items, including thought-starter (or novel-starter) journals, pens and sunscreen to keep attendees looking and feeling cool, while younger guests were spotted all weekend at the activities planned just for them, adding color as they made their way through the crowds with our bobbing balloons.
For more than 100 years, Byline has been honored to serve our local residents, in the neighborhoods where we live, work and play. And when we think about how lucky we are to be a part of events that bring literacy and love to Chicago, we’re truly proud that we can add something positive and give back to the people who inspire us. It’s like we always say: we love this town.
To learn more about next year’s Printers Row Lit Fest, visit https://printersrowlitfest.org/. For more information about how Byline can support your organization, stop in to a branch near you or contact us.
