A free weekend of books, zines and local art is on the cards in Edmonton this October. The Harvest Art and Book Fair, run by indie publisher Hungry Zine, is back for its fourth year on Saturday, October 3 and Sunday, October 4, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, at 9722 102nd St. NW.
The fair is a community market for small-press publishers, independent authors, bookshops and local makers. Around 30 vendors will set up across the weekend, with coffee and snacks from Balay Coffee to keep you fuelled while you browse. What's new this year is a proper programme of free activities — workshops, panels and book signings — which the fair hasn't offered before.
Book signings run from noon to 4 p.m. on both days. Saturday's workshops kick off with the Seedy Jam Workshop led by Chelsea Boos from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., focused on seed saving, sustainable land stewardship and food sovereignty. In the afternoon, Amy Leigh of Zine-Machine runs a zine-making session from 2 to 3:30 p.m. — no experience needed, all materials provided, and you'll leave with your own collage-style zine made from text and drawing.
Sunday leans literary. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the A Fresh Crop of Authors panel features readings from writers with new books out through Edmonton's independent presses, including Alice Major, Danika Klewchuk, Melissa Walker, Richard Van Camp and Kathryn Lennon. Later, Food: The Stories We Tell (2 to 3:30 p.m.) brings together chef Holly Holt, culinary artist Earl Briones and food writer Ramneek Singh, joined by Hungry Zine, to talk food culture and the stories behind what we eat.
For visitors, it's a low-cost way into Edmonton's creative scene: everything is free, and the Old Strathcona location puts you near cafes, vintage shops and the farmers market for a full weekend out. If you're in town and hunting for an unusual souvenir, a hand-made zine or a signed local book beats a fridge magnet every time.
