The San Diego City College International Book Fair, now in its fourth year, takes place from Sept. 28 through to Oct. 3 with an array of activities.

The book fair is the brainchild of San Diego City College President Terrence Burgess, who had the astuteness to make this event a reality after attending the Miami Dade College International Book Fair.

Burgess returned to City College with the idea of starting a City College book fair. It is with his vision and determination and many hours of hard work that the City College Book Fair has been able to flourish.

The festival was a “showcase of local and national arts and literature in the area,” Burgess said.

Burgess assembled a team headed by Dr. Jim Miller and his wife Kelly, who set about organizing the first two book fairs.

Both have since taken sabbatical, and in their absence, Virginia Escalante has picked up the reins and carried on with the organization of the book fair.

“The purpose of the festival is to promote literature, art and music from both sides of the border”, said Escalanted, who has worked tirelessly since January “with some good strong people helping to put this event together”.

This year promises to be as fun and exciting as the past book fairs with some interesting ideas being implemented for the first time.

The book festival is not solely focused on readings and speeches by the authors. Instead, it will host numerous activities this year, such as a music concert, readings and signings by the authors, the premier of a film along with the buying, selling and swapping of books. There are also several workshops in which inspiring writers can participate.

Another first for this year is that as of Sept. 21, all the books featured in this years book fair will be on sale at the college bookstore at 20 percent off the original price.

A first at this year’s festival is that there will be a kids activity room, as a number of students had requested that there be some accommodation made for their children. In light of this, for the first time there will be a reading for kids.

The children’s reading will be by Jeff Garcia of his book, Santa Claus and the Molokai Mules: A Hawaiian Island Surfing Adventure.

The Grammy nominated vocalist, composer and arranger Perla Batalla will be performing with her band.

There will be an art exhibit on display in the lobby at the premier of the movie Nommogeneity, by Director Terrence Stubbs, who is a City College Alumnus.

There will be readings in English and, for the first time this year, in Spanish. The themes covered in this year’s book fair are diverse and wide ranging

“This book fair is a showcase of local, regional and national authors and students are amazed to meet and hear the authors,” said Escalante.

Throughout the festival there will be workshops taking place to highlight the talent at City College.