Who founded the Chicago Tribune Printers Row Book Fair?
As part of its ongoing commitment to the written word and its support of literacy and literary endeavor, the Chicago Tribune has announced the purchase of the Printers Row Book Fair from the Near South Planning Board. The Fair—the largest free outdoor literary event in the Midwest—drew more than 75,000 book lovers to the two-day showcase in 2002. “The Fair has a broad cultural impact through the programs it supports and the participants it brings to Chicago,” said Owen Youngman, Chicago Tribune vice president of development. “We view it as an important part of what makes the Near South area of Chicago a vital, growing part of the City of Chicago, and we intend to invest in the Fair in ways that cement its importance in both the city and the community.” “In addition, as we increase the size and scope of our philanthropic commitment to literacy through Chicago Tribune Foundation and Chicago Tribune Charities [a fund of the McCormick Tribune Foundation], we believe the Printers Row Book F
Chicago Tribune Printers Row Book Fair “The Printers Row Book Fair was founded in 1985 by the Near South Planning Board to attract visitors to the Printers Row neighborhood (once the city’s bookmaking hub). By 2002, it had grown to five city blocks (on Dearborn, from Congress to Polk), attracting more than 190 booksellers from across the country displaying new, used and antiquarian books, and featuring seven stages with more than 90 free literary programs. It is considered the largest free outdoor literary event in the Midwest – drawing more than 90,000 book lovers to the two-day showcase” Sources: http://xrefer.blogspot.com/2008/05/chicago-tribune-printers-row-book-fair.
