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| - I attended this big book 'fair' for the 2nd time this year @ the Ariz State fairgrounds / inside the Exhibit building. It marked their 59th year so they must've been doing something right and useful. It's held every February during the 2nd weekend. Admission is free but there is a parking fee (which VNSA emphasize goes to the fair and not to them- you can always save by using public transit or bike or walk). I managed to score a few vintage books from my 2 visits with their Sunday 1/2 price special, which makes it even alot cheaper than if you're able to find any used @ Amazon. I managed to find old scrapbook-themed publication or very old cookbooks, which is what I usually search for and managed to purchase for even 50 cents each when some of them were valued for about $25+, and they were clean and in great condition. I'm not crazy about those orange pricing stickers they used but at least they do come off- just that if you purchased LOTS of books, then that's alot of stickers to remove. I brought my trusty fashionable totebag, but some attendees (serious collectors? hoarders? resellers?) brought suitcases, huge crates, even using their baby strollers (ugh- mothers, please respectfully leave your cranky babies/kids & rude strollers at home!), and VNSA provided grocery-store shopping carts. Saturday mornings have a LONG line with some even spending the night like Black Friday (hoarders? curiosity over rare/unusual books?), so go during late morning or any time the rest of the day. I attended Sunday late morning and there was no line, less crowded, and the checkout moved quicker. They take cash, in-state checks, and debit/credit cards. In concluding, it looks like people (like me) still (heart) books...
VNSA (who are voluntteers) get the (unwanted) books from various official drop boxes all over Phoenix and sort and categoriize (music, fiction, cookbook, vintage cookbook, biography, so forth) all year until the big weekend. After the sale, they donate the proceeds to their chosen organizations. They did a good job keeping the premises continually clean and organized- and even have security, just in case and of course, while I was there, 'everyone' got along (wink).
AZ State fairgrounds staff has been very good at holding educational / fun events for decades in such a rugged environment which helps keep the costs down, and even while the neighborhood has seen a steady urban decline- but, not to the point where I'd feel uncomfortable. I support lots of activities in / near downtown Phoenix- that's what keeps this city going.
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