Detroit Bookfest 2019 (photo by Ryan M. Place)
The Detroit Festival of Books, aka: Detroit Bookfest, is a FREE annual in-person event at Eastern Market in Detroit, Michigan.
Eastern Market
Shed 5
2934 Russell Street
Detroit, MI 48207
Sunday, July 17, 2022
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Facebook event page
https://www.facebook.com/events/682806536217456/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/DetroitBookfest
We are also hosting Virtual Detroit Bookfest on our website from July 15-17, 2022
https://detroitbookfest.com/vendor-application-2022/
Eastern Market Detroit map
The phrase “Eastern Market” refers to both the large district/neighborhood and also the series of Sheds owned by the city of Detroit and run by the Eastern Market Partnership non-profit organization.
Opened in 1891, Eastern Market is the largest historic public market in the United States.
Featuring 43 acres of space, Eastern Market is comprised of a series of indoor and outdoor sheds which function as thriving year-round consumer markets.
This year, Detroit Bookfest will be located inside Shed 5 where vendors will be selling all sorts of books (ie: used, rare, antiquarian, authors, children’s, new, unusual, ephemera, etc), comic books, vinyl LP records, creative arts, and more.
Detroit Festival of Books (photo by Debography)
DJ Seven Whales will be providing the vibes.
Debbie Maciolek will be documenting the experience with her keen and perceptive eye.
Two food trucks, Delray BBQ and Treat Dreams will be on the south side of Shed 5 on Alfred Street (east of Russell Street)
Char’latte Coffee Company: Two Metro Detroit sisters are bringing their Mobile Coffee Cart to Detroit Bookfest
The Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau’s D-Rover van will be outside Shed 5.
Pong Detroit, the ping-pong social club, will be wheeling some ping-pong tables over to Bookfest!
Deon Forrest (aka: Greektown Hotbox) Detroit’s own world-famous street performer will be live on Russell Street (at Alfred Street) outside Detroit Bookfest.
Detroit’s own Arts & Scraps is bringing the ScrapMobile to Bookfest! Kids will be able to build their own books here!
And more!
Health and safety is our #1 concern.
Whatever safety protocols are in place on Bookfest Day, we will be following them 100%.
We ultimately have no idea what to expect this year but we will do our absolute best to make it fun and safe.
JR Jones and Lonni Thomas, two of Eastern Market’s finest and also members of the Detroit Bookfest Committee (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Our festival footprint has grown to include:
The Official Bookfest Afterparty down the street at Eastern Market Brewing Company (runs 10am-8pm)
https://detroitbookfest.com/bookfest-afterparty-embc/
Bookfest Bash inside Bea’s Detroit (runs 10am-4pm)
https://detroitbookfest.com/beas-detroit-bookfest-bash/
Please explore the Detroit Bookfest Festival Guide below.
We also encourage you to make a day of it and explore the entire Eastern Market district, which is packed with hundreds of fun shops, restaurants, and experiences.
Eastern Market’s Shed 5 Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Here’s our totally professional graphic designer-approved not flawed in any way screenshot MAP of the Bookfest Festival Footprint
Detroit Bookfest festival map
Eastern Market Brewing Company
2515 Riopelle Street
Located three blocks southeast of Shed 5, Eastern Market Brewing Company (EMBC) is one of the most popular destinations in Eastern Market.
Currently, the street they’re on, Riopelle, is closed to vehicle traffic. It is pedestrian-only and they have tables in the street, food tent, live DJ, and of course beer, glorious beer.
Some of their most popular beers are:
Elephant Juice, Market Day IPA, Mae Blanc, Wonderboy, and White Coffee Stout
Bookfest Afterparty
https://detroitbookfest.com/bookfest-afterparty-embc/
Beer list
https://easternmarket.beer/beers/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/easternmarketbrewing/?hl=en
Special thanks to Dayne Bartscht (owner) and his team
Eastern Market Brewing Company Detroit (photo courtesy of EMBC)
EMBC Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
EMBC Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Bea’s Squeeze Detroit
1533 Winder Street
Half a block around the corner from EMBC is Bea’s lovely combination eatery and co-working space. This beautiful addition to the market is the brainchild of Beatrice Wolnerman and they now have a walk-up window.
Bea’s was recently voted the # 1 special occasion venue in Metro Detroit.
Be sure to try Bea’s signature lemonade (bottled lemonade or lemonade slushies) and some tasty scones.
Bookfest Bash
https://detroitbookfest.com/beas-detroit-bookfest-bash/
Homepage
https://www.beasdetroit.com/
You can even buy this awesome duffel bag from Bea’s
https://beassqueeze.com/products/duffel-bag
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/beasdetroit/
Special thanks to Beatrice Wolnerman (owner) and Connar McLeod (events director)
Bea’s Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Bea’s Detroit warehouse (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Bea’s Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Bea’s duffel bag (photo courtesy of Bea’s)
Live boxing inside Bert’s Warehouse (2739 Russell St, Detroit)
directly across from the Eastern Market Sheds
Sunday, July 17, 2022
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Buy tickets here:
https://www.detroitgoldengloves.org/
Live boxing inside Bert’s Warehouse during Detroit Bookfest
Pong Detroit
This afterhours ping-pong social club is located 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).”
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.”
Hours
Tuesday-Thursday
5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Cost
$10/hr from 5-7pm, then $15/hr 7pm-11pm
Homepage
http://pongdetroit.com/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pongdetroit/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/pongdetroit/
Thanks to Mal Lang (owner)
Pong Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Pong Detroit
Pong Detroit inside Bert’s Warehouse (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Michigan shaped ping pong paddle (courtesy of Pong Detroit)
Bert’s Warehouse Detroit (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Red Bull Arts Detroit
1551 Winder Street
Directly next door to Bea’s is the 14,000-square foot two-story Red Bull Arts warehouse. Inside they have a library and recording studio.
The basement of the warehouse is the old Eckhardt & Becker Brewery and is basically a cool subterranean brick-walled cavern. The brewery was here 1891-1969.
New York City and Detroit are the only two Red Bull Arts exhibition spaces in North America. There’s also one in Sao Paolo, Brazil called The Station. Red Bull’s global HQ is in Austria and their North American HQ is in Santa Monica, California.
Red Bull, yes the energy drink company, pays 9 artists from all over the world a $12,000 stipend to live and work at the warehouse for 3 month intervals (ie: January-April, April-July, August-November). The stipend allows the artists to focus on making art full-time while in Detroit. Being an artist is not easy and the money and dedicated time for free-flowing creativity are a blessing to struggling artists.
Homepage
http://redbullarts.com/detroit/
RBA Detroit Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/redbullartsdetroit/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/redbullarts/?hl=en
Special thanks to Matt Eaton (director)
Red Bull Arts Detroit (photocourtesy of Red Bull)
Red Bull Arts Detroit warehouse (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
The Dequindre Cut
Closest entrance located at 3017 Orleans Street.
“The Cut,” as it’s called is a lovely greenway/urban recreational pathway for walking, biking, jogging.
It is 2-miles long and runs from the Detroit Riverfront to the northern tip of Eastern Market.
Near the Wilkins/Orleans entrance, you can find the Freight Yard Bar, this is an outdoor bar made out of shipping containers.
To get to the bar:
Enter at Orleans St & Wilkins St, walk down to the Cut, make a right, then it’s down on your left.
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/DequindreCutFreightYard
Dequindre Cut (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Dequindre Cut (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Dequindre Cut Map
Dequindre Cut (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Dequindre Cut (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Dequindre Cut Freight Yard bar (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Dequindre Cut (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra concert @ Dequindre Cut Freightyard Bar (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Detroit City Distillery
2462 Riopelle Street
The Riopelle taproom of DCD is down the street from Eastern Market Brewing Company.
Here you will find a lively outdoor vibe, including music, cocktails and food from Midnight Temple, the Indian gastropub located above DCD. (hint: try the tandoori wings and gobi rollup).
Homepage
https://www.detroitcitydistillery.com/
Midnight Temple
https://www.midnighttemple.com/
Special thanks to JP Jerome (co-founder), Mike Forsyth (co-founder), Akash Sudhakara (Midnight Temple)
Detroit City Distillery (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Midnight Temple Indian food Detroit (photo courtesy of Yelp)
Trio of great shops
1337-1353 Division Street
This trio of great shops, Detroit Hustles Harder, Signal-Return, the 37th Shield Library, is located along Division Street, west of Russell Street.
37th Shield Library sells books and records and more.
https://www.facebook.com/The37thshieldlibrary/
Signal-Return is a letterpress studio.
http://www.signalreturnpress.org/
Detroit Hustles Harder is a globally recognized clothing store.
https://divisionstreetboutique.com/
Special thanks to Andrew Potvin (37th Shield), Toby Barlow and Lynne Avadenka (Signal-Return), and Brendan Blumentritt (Detroit Hustles Harder)
37th Shield Library, Signal Return letterpress, Detroit Hustles Harder (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
37th Shield Library (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
The Eastern (event venue)
3434 Russell Street
The Eastern is a lovely 5,000-square foot industrial space you can rent out for special events.
Built in 1888, this is the old Hook and Ladder # 5 fire station. The Eastern has capacity for 300 seated or 600+ strolling and a 3,000 square foot outdoor patio.
Note: The entrance is not directly on Russell St, rather the main entrance is located on the north side of the building next to Wasserman Art Gallery.
Homepage
http://www.theeasterndetroit.com/
Virtual Tour
http://www.theeasterndetroit.com/virtual-tour
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/theeastern
Special thank you to Scott Rutterbush (owner).
The Eastern event space Detroit (courtesy The Eastern)
The Eastern event space Detroit (courtesy The Eastern)
The Eastern event space Detroit (courtesy The Eastern)
The Eastern event space Detroit (courtesy The Eastern)
Elsewhere in the Eastern Market district….
Eastern Market sculpture at Orleans and Erskine (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Eastern Market graffiti on Orleans Street, north of Erskine (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Eastern Market graffiti on Orleans Street, north of Erskine (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Eastern Market graffiti on Orleans Street, north of Winder (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Eastern Market graffiti on Orleans Street, north of Winder (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Eastern Market graffiti on Orleans Street, north of Winder (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Eastern Market graffiti on Orleans Street, north of Alfred (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
J’adore Loft
2501 Russell Street, ste. 400
This fun event space is 2,000 square feet and has capacity for 50 seated or 125 strolling.
Great for meetings, weddings, photo shoots, events of all sorts.
Homepage
https://www.jadore-detroit.com/the-loft-1
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/jadoredetroit
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/jadoredetroit/
Special thanks to Candice Simons (owner).
J’adore Loft in Eastern Market (photo courtesy of J’adore Loft Detroit)
J’adore Loft in Eastern Market (photo courtesy of J’adore Loft Detroit)
J’adore Loft in Eastern Market (photo courtesy of J’adore Loft Detroit)
J’adore Loft in Eastern Market (photo courtesy of J’adore Loft Detroit)
Dyno Indoor Climbing Gym
3500 Orleans Street
This place is really cool! Inside you will find 12-15 foot tall boulders and a 49 foot tall rope section.
You can get a day pass, punch pass, or membership.
Climbers must be over 4 years old and you have to be over 16 years old to belay.
Homepage
https://www.dynodetroit.com/
Special thanks to Dino Ruggeri (owner)
Dyno indoor climbing gym (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Dyno indoor climbing gym (photo courtesy of Dyno)
Dorais Park Velodrome
601 Mack Avenue
Located on the NW edge of the Eastern Market district, this is also another really cool place!
Inside the 64,000 square foot dome you will find an indoor wooden bicycle track.
Bicyclists beware, you can actually go up to 50mph on your bicycle inside here!
Homepage
https://lexusvelodrome.com/
Special thanks to Dale Hughes (owner)
Dorais Park Velodrome (photo courtesy of the Velodrome)
Dorais Park Velodrome (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
That’s not everything in Eastern Market.
Merely a small sampling of some of the fun and exciting things you can do.
Be sure to explore the entire district and enjoy your experience in Detroit!
Gestalten ‘Do You Read Me?’
*Special thanks to Gestalten & Marianne Julia Strauss for this*
We are raffling off one copy of ‘Do You Read Me? Bookstores Around the World‘, a beautiful 272-page book from Gestalten!
*One winner will be selected at random. Enter now for your chance to win!*
https://detroitbookfest.com/enter-to-win/
The raffle will run from Monday, June 22 to Sunday, June 28.
Gestalten ‘Do You Read Me?’ (photo courtesy of Gestalten)
Gestalten is an international publishing house founded in 1995 in Berlin, Germany.
Primarily specializing in high-quality visual books on design, travel, art, and lifestyle, Gestalten is well known around the world for publishing gorgeous coffee-table books.
Their newest offering is 272 pages long and was published on June 09, 2020.
Gestalten ‘Do You Read Me?’
Entitled ‘Do You Read Me? Bookstores Around the World‘ this is a beautiful sampling of 62 independent bookstores from all over the globe.
I was honored to be invited by Gestalten to be a contributor for this book, offering some of my photos and information on John K. King Used and Rare Books in Detroit, Michigan, USA.
The book was compiled by author Marianne Julia Strauss and the introduction is by Juergen Boos, Director of the Frankfort Book Fair.
John King Books Detroit featured in Gestalten ‘Do You Read Me?’
Exclusive Interview: JOHN KING, owner of John K. King Used & Rare Books in Detroit, internationally voted one of the World’s Best Bookstores!
*Special thanks to Gestalten & Marianne Julia Strauss for this*
We are raffling off one copy of ‘Do You Read Me? Bookstores Around the World‘, a beautiful 272-page book from Gestalten!
*One winner will be selected at random. Enter now for your chance to win!*
https://detroitbookfest.com/enter-to-win/
The raffle will run from Monday, June 22 to Sunday, June 28.
Boekhandel Dominicanen bookstore in Maastricht, Netherlands (photo courtesy of Gestalten)
Gestalten blog post on Do You Read Me?
https://us.gestalten.com/blogs/journal/bookstores-rewrite-communities
Buy book form Gestalten
https://us.gestalten.com/products/do-you-read-me
Gestalten’s best selling books
https://us.gestalten.com/collections/all/?sort_by=best-selling
Gestalten
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/gestalten/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/gestalten/
Twitter
https://twitter.com/GestaltenNews
Some other top-sellers from Gestalten
Two Wheels South (Gestalten)
Blue Blooded (Gestalten)
She Surf (Gestalten)
Highsnobiety Guide to Fashion and Culture (Gestalten)
Scandinavia Dreaming (Gestalten)
I Am Dandy (Gestalten)
Rolling Through The Years: A Cedar Point Atlas and Chronology by Ken Miller
*Special thanks to Ken Miller and 1870 Publishing Group for this*
We are raffling off only ONE FREE autographed copy of ‘Rolling Through The Years: A Cedar Point Atlas and Chronology’ by Ken Miller!
*ONE winner will be selected at random. Enter now for your chance to win!*
https://detroitbookfest.com/enter-to-win/
The raffle will run from Monday, May 18, 2020 – Sunday, May 24, 2020
Rolling Through The Years: A Cedar Point Atlas and Chronology by Ken Miller
Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, is considered The Roller Coaster Capital of the World.
Repeatedly voted the USA’S best amusement park (with best coaster Steel Vengeance and best amusement park hotel Hotel Breakers), Cedar Point attracts over 3 million visitors per year.
Lucky for us, Cedar Point is only two hours south of Detroit. Every Summer, my mom and grandparents and I used to drive down and join the adrenaline junkies for the great endorphins rush of coaster mania. My favorite ride is probably the Magnum, an underrated, terrifyingly jerky 80’s-tastic coaster. I also enjoy the annual HalloWeekends event.
Cedar Point (image courtesy of Cedar Point)
Opened in 1870 on Lake Erie, Cedar Point is 364 acres and features 72 rides (18 roller coasters), 5 hotels, Cedar Point Shores waterpark, two marinas, a mile-long sandy beach, and more.
Some of the top coasters are: Steel Vengeance (world’s best coaster; 74 mph straight drop for 30 seconds), Millennium Force, Top Thrill Dragster, Raptor, GateKeeper, Wicked Twister, Valravn, etc.
You can also ride the Gondola (aka: Sky Ride) over the Main Midway. It’s 92 feet in the air and offers great views of the entire park. And there’s the classic Railroad ride (built 1963) where you pass through Boneville, an Old West town of 48 animatronic skeletons.
Cedar Point hires more than 5,000 seasonal employees from all over the world every year. Workers live on-site in the Commons Campus dorms and also Bayside Campus Apartments.
Ken Miller, the Herodotus of Cedar Point
Ken Miller (image courtesy of 1870 Publishing Group)
In the back NW corner of the park, in Frontier Town, inside the Town Hall Museum, you can find Ken Miller eagerly explaining park history and memorabilia.
Ken Miller has distinguished himself as a major Cedar Point historian. He is also a high school math teacher and chess enthusiast.
Recently, his company 1870 Publishing Group printed the bible of Cedar Point, a massive coffee table elephant folio sized book entitled ‘Rolling Through The Years: A Cedar Point Atlas and Chronology’.
Scholarly, informative and action-packed, this tremendous resource took Ken over 7 years to write and compile. He even minutely combed through more than 100,000 newspaper articles.
Lushly inlaid with photographs and historical memorabilia, the book is 392 pages, measures 12 inches x 18 inches, weighs 12 pounds, and contains 75 maps.
1,000 limited-edition signed and numbered copies of the book featuring a special cover designed by Paul Bonifield and Ashley Spedding, quickly sold out.
Biography of Ken Miller
Rolling Through The Years: A Cedar Point Atlas and Chronology by Ken Miller
“I was born and raised in Michigan. Lived in Livonia from 3rd grade to 11th, then moved to Ohio in high school during the 70’s. I worked sales and marketing after college in the Dungeons & Dragons industry. Switched to teaching math about a dozen years ago.”
“Still read science fiction and fantasy, as well as historical drama. Favorite TV show is MASH. In my free time I play tournament chess, but I haven’t had any free time in years.”
Ken started working at Cedar Point in 2000 and started working at the Town Hall Museum in 2004
Cedar Point (image courtesy of Cedar Point)
“I started with Cedar Point running the store inside the Sandcastle Suites Hotel. When the guests were in the park, the store was very slow, so I started reading the Cedar Point books we had there. Learned a lot of trivia and history about the park.”
“A few years later, I was working front of the park when management asked me to help in the museum.”
“The Town Hall Museum is run by Guest Services, so most of my job functions revolve around that. I think I have the best job in the park. I get to work with the guests, share some trivia, tell them where to get funnel cakes, etc. And stay in the air conditioning.”
Cedar Point is fascinating, unique, and worthy of attention
Cedar Point (image courtesy of Cedar Point)
“Cedar Point wasn’t designed. It grew organically, gradually into what it is today. The development over the last 150 years has been incredible.”
“The book is loaded with fun facts and trivia about the park. The ‘Did you know?’ pages 186-7 have lots of miscellaneous stuff.”
“One of my favorites is the amount of food the park goes through every season: 190,000 pounds of hamburger, 91 miles of hot dogs, 29,000 gallons of ice cream, 595 tons of french fries, and 800,000 gallons of beverages!”
“As for the coasters, I’m not much of a rider anymore myself. Can’t do circles, otherwise I’d be fine on the Raptor, until the final helix at the end. Favorite coaster is GateKeeper, favorite ride is the Train.”
Ken’s Overview of the Book
Rolling Through The Years: A Cedar Point Atlas and Chronology by Ken Miller
“’Rolling Through The Years’ is a textbook and the ultimate resource about Cedar Point. It is divided into two main sections.”
“The first section is grouped by subject. For example, if you want to know everything about the Carousels, the information is all together in one place.”
“The second section is by year. Starting in the 1700s, all the major events and developments are listed. Included in this section are over 75 maps of the park, which illustrates the amazing development of the park.”
The Process of Assembling and Publishing the Book
Rolling Through The Years: A Cedar Point Atlas and Chronology by Ken Miller
“Assembling the book was time consuming and difficult.”
“1,200 images all had to be formatted and laid into the software. Every change on one page could inadvertently change the next page, so we had to be very careful as we put the book together. After the book was assembled, we sent it to three editors, two for content and one for copy. I also had both the current and retired Cedar Point General Manager look through the book.”
“Actually, it was far harder to print the book than expected. There are not many printers that could handle the size and weight. Our first thought was overseas, but they couldn’t guarantee any kind of time frames. We then chose a printer in Cincinnati. We ended up switching printers halfway through the project to a printer in Tennessee. The cover material was special order due to the weight and the new printer had issues with it. They could only handle a small amount of books each week, so we missed our original release date.”
Commonalities Among Coaster Enthusiasts & the Legendary Regulars
Cedar Point (image courtesy of Cedar Point)
“Sure, just like any fans/enthusiasts in any pop culture milieu, we have our fair share. When I worked in the Dungeons & Dragons industry, there were fans. Football has its enthusiasts, Nascar has theirs, Broadway musicals have theirs, etc. And to anyone on the outside, it’s all weird.”
“Cedar Point has its share of regulars, many of whom come into Town Hall. Most notable was ‘Mean Streak Henry’ Sievers who had the unofficial ridership record for the Mean Streak roller coaster. And I mean thousands upon thousands of rides.”
Ken’s Recommendations on places to check out in Sandusky
“I like Danny Boys Pizza and Berardi’s Family Kitchen. My favorite place to go is the Merry-Go-Round Museum.”
If you have any vintage Cedar Point stories or memorabilia to share, please contact Ken
1870 Publishing Group
PO Box 173
Sandusky, OH 44871-0173
[email protected]
Cedar Point image (courtesy of 1870 Publishing Group)
*Special thanks to Ken Miller and 1870 Publishing Group for this*
We are raffling off only ONE FREE autographed copy of ‘Rolling Through The Years: A Cedar Point Atlas and Chronology’ by Ken Miller!
*ONE winner will be selected at random. Enter now for your chance to win!*
https://detroitbookfest.com/enter-to-win/
The raffle will run from Monday, May 18, 2020 – Sunday, May 24, 2020
Cedar Point (image courtesy of Cedar Point)
Order the book here
https://1870publishinggroup.com/about-the-book#e2de80f4-6bd3-4f20-97e9-301ed042afa2
Cedar Point Timeline
https://pointbuzz.com/history
Theme Park Insider
https://www.themeparkinsider.com/
American Coaster Enthusiasts
https://www.aceonline.org/
Cedar Point Food Blog
https://cpfoodblog.com/
PointBuzz: CP News
https://pointbuzz.com/News
Cedar Point Demon Drop image (courtesy of 1870 Publishing Group)
Cedar Point’s Official List of Rides
https://www.cedarpoint.com/play/rides-coasters
Cedar Point Memories (Facebook Group)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/891098047631065/
CP Rundown
https://www.facebook.com/cprundown/
Wicked Twister GWR fastest
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/85489-fastest-roller-coaster-inverted-design
Wicked Twister GWR tallest
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/85487-tallest-roller-coaster-inverted-design
Valravn GWR largest drop
https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/85483-largest-drop-on-a-roller-coaster-floorless-design
Cedar Point Boneville image (courtesy of 1870 Publishing Group)
Cedar Point Ferry image (courtesy of 1870 Publishing Group)
Cedar Point Facts image (courtesy of 1870 Publishing Group)
Cedar Point (image courtesy of Cedar Point)
Cedar Point (image courtesy of Cedar Point)
Cedar Point (image courtesy of Cedar Point)
Cedar Point (image courtesy of Cedar Point)
Boneville railroad @ Cedar Point (image courtesy of Cedar Point)
Red Garter Saloon @ Cedar Point (image courtesy of Cedar Point)
Beer @ Cedar Point (image courtesy of Cedar Point)
Marina @ Cedar Point (image courtesy of Cedar Point)
Marina @ Cedar Point (image courtesy of Cedar Point)
Boston waterfront (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Here at Detroit Bookfest we are starting a new series called the Bookfest Explorer Series.
This will be a collection of travel experiences whereby we will periodically document our literary travels, both domestic and abroad, to help highlight the global community of books.
First up, Boston.
Founded in 1630, Boston is the 7th oldest city in the United States. Featuring sunken red brick sidewalks and beautiful old buildings aplenty, the city is loaded with history and rows of opulent townhouses for blocks.
Heading from Logan Airport to the Park Plaza Hotel (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Boston Athenæum
10 ½ Beacon Street
https://www.bostonathenaeum.org/
Open since 1807, non-members can tour the first floor of this exceptional private library for $10.00. All 12 floors are open to members.
The focus of the collection is arts and humanities. World-class paintings grace the walls and there are marble busts of philosophers on stands.
Through the rear window, you can see the grave of Paul Revere in the Granary Burying Ground! This old cemetery opened in 1660 and there are several historical grave sites here.
Also, as a bonus, check out the Paul Revere House (19 North Square). Built in 1680, it’s Boston’s oldest building. Paul Revere’s famous 1775 Midnight Ride started here.
Boston Athenæum (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Boston Athenæum (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Boston Athenæum (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Image courtesy of James Cole
Boston Athenæum (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Paul Revere’s Grave @ Granary Burying Ground (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Paul Revere’s Grave @ Granary Burying Ground (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
old grave @ Granary Burying Ground (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Granary Burying Ground (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Brattle Book Shop
9 West Street
http://www.brattlebookshop.com/
Open since 1825, this great three-story used & rare bookstore also features an outdoor open-air courtyard full of books.
The third floor is the Rare Book Room. Marvelous stuff. Owner Ken Gloss is impressively knowledgeable.
Brattle Books (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Brattle Books (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Brattle Books (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Boston Public Library
700 Boylston Street
https://www.bpl.org/
Open since 1848 and smartly situated in beautiful Copley Square, the BPL was the first large free municipal library in the United States.
Be sure to check out the gorgeous 2nd floor Bates Hall reading room.
Also located on the 2nd floor, the Abbey Room, looks medieval European ornate, walls adorned with giant murals of the Holy Grail tale and 150 life-size figures from Arthurian legend ring the room, staring down at you. Who says paintings can’t talk?
Boston Public Library (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Bates Hall reading room @ BPL (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Abbey Room @ BPL (image courtesy of BPL)
Parker House Hotel
60 School Street
https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/boston-parker-house
This beautiful 14-floor hotel opened in 1855. Charles Dickens lived here on the 3rd floor from 1867-68. He read ‘A Christmas Carol’ in the Last Hurrah Bar inside the hotel for the first time in America. They have his original door (view it in the basement) and gigantic mirror (view it on the mezzanine level) here.
Also, of note, Ho Chi Minh was a pastry chef here 1911-13, Malcolm X was a busboy, the Boston Cream Pie was invented here, and President JFK was a frequent guest!
Parker House Hotel (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Parker House Hotel (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Parker House Hotel (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Parker House Hotel (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Parker House Hotel (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Parker House Hotel (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Ars Libri
500 Harrison Ave
https://www.arslibri.com/
Cool bookstore specializing in academic library collection development. You can buy books from the private research libraries of art scholars.
I bought a book called ‘Ancient Roman Monuments’ by Pignatorre with 61 beautiful hand drawn plates, very mild foxing and spotting.
Ars Libri (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Ars Libri (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Ars Libri (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
The Mapparium @ Mary Baker Eddy Library
200 Massachusetts Ave
https://www.marybakereddylibrary.org/project/mapparium/
Located next to the worldwide home of the Christian Science Church (which also houses the world’s 9th largest pipe organ), the Mary Bakery Eddy Library features a one-of-a-kind experience inside The Mapparium.
For only $6.00, you can tour The Mapparium for a delightfully psychedelic experience. The Mapparium is a 30-foot stained glass globe built in 1935 and features 608 glass panels. A walkway bisects the center of it.
At one point, they turn the lights off and there’s a light show around the world. Crazy how sound travels in here, sounds like every whisper is microphone-amplified, incredible.
Please note that photography is not allowed inside The Mapparium.
Mapparium (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
Mapparium (image courtesy of Mary Baker Eddy Library)
Hope you get to check out Boston!
Boston (photo by: Ryan M. Place)
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