The Detroit Festival of Books continues to offer more and more programming for children, thanks in part to the presence of Brilliant Detroit, a local non-profit organization focused on boosting children’s literacy, which returns to Bookfest for the third straight year this July.
Brilliant Detroit operates 15 open family hubs in communities throughout Detroit. Its neighborhood-based approach ensures programs and services meet the needs of neighbors and support the intellectual, social, and emotional growth of their young children.
Brilliant Detroit at Detroit Bookfest
Brilliant Detroit will operate a “reading lounge” at Detroit Bookfest that will offer:
Live readings of children’s stories throughout the day
Opportunities for children to play (and learn how to play) Book Bingo
Information about Detroit Reads!, its summer citywide reading initiative. Attendees can grab a schedule to learn about Detroit Reads!’ weekly activities, programming, pop-up author visits, and storytelling, and Brilliant Detroit’s high-dosage tutoring
Information on enrolling in Brilliant Detroit’s year-round programming
Information on volunteer and fundraising opportunities with the organization
“We are overjoyed that Brilliant Detroit is returning to Bookfest this year,” said Ryan M. Place, Bookfest’s founder and chairman. “Literacy is of paramount importance, and organizations such as Brilliant Detroit enrich children’s lives and help them build a bright future.”
“Annually the Detroit Festival of Books continues to exemplify how our city is full of readers, and this year we are so excited to be one of the many youth-focused literacy partners, who together will create a truly special experience for Detroit’s budding book lovers,” said Cindy Eggleton, CEO and co-founder of Brilliant Detroit. “The heart of our mission is the concept that communities can help every child be successful in life through literacy… Our hope is everyone will join us at Eastern Market to celebrate reading and learn how Detroit can become a city where every child reads at grade level!”
Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s new early literacy program ‘Reading & Rhythm on the Riverfront’
The Detroit Festival of Books, set to return to Detroit’s Eastern Market this July, is pleased to announce its collaboration with the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy in its efforts to boost literacy in the city. The Conservancy will host a table at this year’s Bookfest.
The Detroit Festival of Books is the largest book festival in the state of Michigan, featuring vendors from all over the United States and Canada. Bookfest is a goodwill effort to generate a deeper love and appreciation of books and culture, and to promote literacy. The free event takes place annually at Detroit’s Eastern Market.
Reading & Rhythm on the Riverfront (R3) is the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’s unique, interactive early literacy program. With support from General Motors, R3 stretches six weeks throughout the summer (July 6 – August 11, 2023).
The program takes place at Gabriel Richard Park (7130 East Jefferson Ave, Detroit, MI) and features readings by local celebrities, as well as business and community leaders.
The program also boasts live and interactive family entertainment, a healthy snack provided by the YMCA and free books provided by General Motors in partnership with the Detroit Public Library’s “Library on Wheels.”
Detroit Riverfront Conservancy’
“We are excited to have a presence at this year’s Bookfest,” said Renee Rodriguez, program manager for the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. “Literacy is something that is very important to us at the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, so we are supportive of any efforts that promote books and the joy of reading to people throughout the community, especially children.”
“As Bookfest expands its offerings and sees ever greater attendance, we want to do everything possible to boost the organizations devoted to fostering a love of reading,” said Ryan M. Place, Bookfest’s founder and chairman. “So with thousands upon thousands of individuals streaming through Bookfest, why not encourage those book lovers to volunteer their time and funds to support the worthiest of causes?”
The Detroit Festival of Books takes place Sunday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Shed 5 in Detroit’s Eastern Market. The event is free. Photos of the 2022 Bookfest are available for download and use via this link.
Detroit Riverwalk (photo by Detroit Riverfront Conservancy)
(CBS DETROIT) – The Detroit Festival of Books is the largest book festival in Michigan, and it is returning in July for the sixth year at Detroit’s Eastern Market.
Ryan M. Place, founder and chairman of Detroit Bookfest, and Lonni Thomas, director of markets at Eastern Market Partnership, sat down with anchor Jeff Skversky inside the studios of CBS News Detroit on Wednesday, June 21st, 2023 to talk about the upcoming event that is scheduled for Sunday, July 16.
The event will include various books (including authors selling & signing their own books), other items, and a ton of fun activities.
Entry to the event is FREE.
Watch the full conversation with Place and Thomas in the video above.
Pong Detroit is an afterhours ping-pong social club, which is located directly across the street from Eastern Market, inside Bert’s Warehouse (2739 Russell Street).
The brainchild of former Honolulu-based radio DJ and pong enthusiast Mal Lang, their slogan is “unplug and play.”
Mal says, “Soccer is # 1 and table tennis is the # 2 participant sport in world. Table tennis is huge in China, India, Europe (especially Sweden & Germany).”
Pong Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Bert’s Warehouse also features a comedy club, kitchen, and bar, so you can drink and pong all night long.
Lessons are available and they will be doing wheelchair table tennis soon. Their other slogan is “Food, drinks, music and pong.”
Fortunately for Bookfest attendees, Mal will be wheeling over some ping-pong tables to Detroit Bookfest, so everyone can enjoy playing some free ping-pong in the streets.
Thank you, Mal!
Michigan shaped ping pong paddle (courtesy of Pong Detroit)
The 6th Annual Detroit Festival of Books (aka: Detroit Bookfest) is a glorious day of BOOKS, vinyl records, comics, creative arts, food, beer, funk music and more!
Please join us at Eastern Market Shed 5 in Detroit on Sunday, July 16, 2023.
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