The ROC Eastman Book Fair is on right now and the turnout is already blowing away expectations.

“I am pleasantly surprised and thrilled with the number of people who have stopped by,” says Volunteer Coordinator Ang Martin. “We even had a lineup to start the day on Thursday.”

Though the fair, which typically takes up the entire hallway network of Clearspring Mall, has been confined to one medium-sized backroom, Martin says people are still flocking to buy books. Still, with COVID-19 restrictions shrinking their space, limiting their customer numbers, and mandating certain health and safety protocols, Martin knows it is unrealistic to expect the fundraiser to garner the same attention as usual. If the book fair hauls in $5,000, just half of its usual total, she will be pleased.

Ang Martin is the Volunteer Coordinator for the ROC Eastman Book Fair.As Executive Director Moni Loewen notes, the ROC team is fortunate to even be able to offer the sale at all. Back in March, when the fair was originally scheduled for, fear around the pandemic forced the organization to cancel their usual plans. The fact that Clearspring Mall administration and the health inspector have now given them permission to hold the sale in the room they usually use to store and sort the books, to Loewen, is a big win.

 “Things may be vastly different,” remarks Martin, “but we are so grateful we still get to have the sale.”

For those interested in perusing the titles, the book fair is located through a small door, across from Maurice's and behind the electronic kids' rides. 

The launch of the book fair Thursday morning was done in tandem with the launch of ROC’s annual 50/50 fundraiser. Last year’s raffle yielded just over $91,000 and Loewen is hoping to surpass it.

“We are really really hoping we can sell it out this year, to sell $100,000 so our winner can get $50,000,” she says.