SJM_Passaic County Book Fair Profile_0323FINAL.qxp_profile 3 / 28 / 23 5 : 00 PM Page 1 PROMOTION B U S I N E S S S P O T L I G H T VEN IN A TIME WHEN JUST ABOUT ANY TELEVISION SHOW OR MOVIE IMAGINABLE IS AVAILABLE WITH ETHE PUSH OF A BUTTON FROM THE COMFORT OF ONE’S LIVING ROOM , THERE REMAINS NO ESCAPE QUITE LIKE THE ONE PROVIDED BY A GREAT BOOK . From mysteries to legal thrillers , biographies to historical ac - counts , and young adult fiction to children’s stories , books have the ability to transform readers to a different world and help them leave stress behind as they excitedly turn each page . The staff at the County of Passaic’s De - partment of Cultural & Historic Affairs ( DCHA ) certainly feels that way about reading , which is why they decided to add an exciting new event to their calendar in 2022 . The Passaic County Book Festival at Weasel Brook Park was such a rousing success that it will now be held yearly , with the second annual festival Worth the Trip scheduled to return on Saturday , June 10 , 2023 . South Jersey residents of all ages are encouraged to visit the family - friendly Held in conjunction with PALS Plus — a Passaic County Book Festival this June 10 to stoke their passion for consortiumof 30 public and academic libraries in Passaic , Essex and Hudson counties — the reading and discover the hidden gems in that part of the state . all - day outdoor event featuring more than By MATT COSENTINO 75 writers will include author meet - and - greets , moderated author panels , child - friendly activities , food trucks , live music last year , there were dozens volunteering . todo arts and crafts again . ” and much more . The best part was that they represented a Walking tours of Weasel Brook Park will “ It’s a nice afternoon with a little bit of widerange of interests . beoffered as well , focusing on the contribu - everything , ” says Nicole Colosimo , a museum “ It was incredible , ” Colosimo says . “ It tionsof the famous landscape architect firm specialist at the DCHA and one of the orga - took off pretty quickly , and we were still OlmstedBrothers . nizers of the festival . “ Last year , we had a taking calls from people asking to join us “ This park is beautiful but there’s also a fantastic turnout and everyone had a great right up to the day of the event . We were up rich history behind it , ” Colosimo says . “ We time . It was especially nice having so many to about 70 registered authors already this wanted to do an outdoor book festival and kids in attendance . The Board of County yearas of late February . this is the perfect setting . You can read a Commissioners just passed a resolution mak - “ Wewelcome authors , scholars and cre - book , sit down and take in a beautiful land - ing this an annual event , so we have plenty ators of every genre . There will be wellness , scapeand see a brook in the distance . It’s al - more to come . ” mysteries , romance , children’s books , young mostpicture perfect , really . ” The DCHA is responsible for implement - adult — everything you can imagine . It’s ex - Colosimo , who lived all over the country ing a variety of public programs throughout citing to be able to offer all of these different before settling in Passaic County almost 10 Passaic County . Since many on the team kinds of authors to the community . After all , years ago , raves about all the area has to share a passion for reading , it made perfect once you find that one book , your life is offer . She encourages residents of South sense when they were brainstorming for new changedforever . ” Jerseyto take the ride up north for the festival ideas to try out a book festival , and PALS Theauthors will have books for sale and andstay for the entire day or even the week - Plus turned out to be the perfect partner . therewill also be poetry sessions , which were end.Whether they’re stopping for coffee at “ We couldn’t do this without them , ” Colosi - wildly popular last year , in addition to the Qahwah House Clifton , grabbing a bite to mo says . “ Luca Manna , their executive director , author panels . As for the kids , two activities eatat Angelo’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria and Linda Hoffman , their president , have that were a big hit at the inaugural festival or shopping for clothes and home décor at been phenomenal partners and we’re really willbe returning . PerL’amoreStore , they will surely not be dis - lucky to work with such good people . We’re “ We’re going to be doing story time and appointed . all book lovers in this department and we readingto dogs like last year , ” Colosimo says . “ It would be fantastic to have people ex - know the importance of your local library . “ As they’re learning to read , kids sometimes plore Passaic County , ” she says . “ They can That’s the goal of this , to inspire a love of feel very self - conscious , so that program learn about history , art , literature . It’s close reading and a love for your local library . Patrick wherekids read to dogs is such a lovely envi - to New York City , there’s a lot of beautiful Byrnes , our department librarian , and Kelly ronment , and the dogs just love having some - parks , a lot of great food , wonderful breweries C . Ruffel , our director , have also been instru - one to hang out with . We’ll have bounce anddistilleries . There’s everything you could n mentalto the success of the festival . ” housesand food too , and we’re also hoping want in this area . ” Having such a positive response from authors has been key , as well . Within weeks Passaic County Book Festival | Weasel Brook Park | Clifton | SeePassaicCounty.org of putting out the call for writers to participate SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 19 issue 12 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 15