'Better Off Read' rocks Lewiston

We were blown away by the “Better off Read” book festival on Saturday.

I love the Lewiston Art Festival, Jazz Festival and Harvest and Hops. Asking which one is best is like asking which kid I love most. It depends on the day.

We planned to get out of town for a few days and made stopping for an hour a priority. We stayed for two hours and it could have been longer.

Ian Kinney started the event with Marlee Jaeger 4 years ago.

It draws writers and book nerds from near and far, like Cari Dubiel. A librarian from Twinsburg, Ohio offering a book about Mothman, a legendary character in West Virginia.

Robert Kerins is a retired Niagara Falls police officer who writes mysteries of sorts based on true crime. I asked which of his works might have the most insight into the murder at Pharoah’s Night Club or the Maggadino family. He tapped one and so we bought it.

Kerins was repping his books as well as the Lewiston Writers Group which meets in Youngstown. You can learn more about them at www.lewistonwritersgroup.com.

Kinney said between vendors, food trucks and everyone else supporting the event in the lower parking lot at Artpark, there were about 100 merchants.

The crew from Buffalo Toronto Public Media was even there, representing an important part of our media landscape. And it was dog friendly. Gord has a great time.

To understand them is to see people like Jill Keppeler, whose “Word Nerd” wares are a passionate side hustle.

The event has grown so much for multitudinous reasons. First, Ian put Marlee in charge of the weather. Next, the setting. The sound garden (at least that’s what I call it) is a perfect setting with the river in the background, beautiful trees and a sense of peace that overcomes any negative energy from when the historic area was occupied by the British and indigenous people who battled over a key location for portage ingress and egress.

At least four vendors volunteered the setting and the chill vibe make it their favorite show of the year. It is not a long drive when the destination is so wonderful.

In hindsight, another food truck would likely be a positive addition but if that’s the biggest criticism, the organizers are doing really well.

Also, we were late to the party. When we arrived, every spot on the lot was full and people were parking on the lawn, which I am sure might be a no-no. Hey, if you are going to break rules, why not do it in the name of books. https://betteroffreadfestival.com/