It was the ninth annual bookfest, first one being in 1996; so said the banners on certain booths belonging to "founding participants". The sun was Santa Ana hot (which to me is classic bookfest weather), the panels were interesting as usual, the shade of the lawns under trees was perfect, the part Greek and part wine-and-cheese lunches were tasty (thanks, Mom), and the kids rolling down the grassy slopes to the side of the Janss Steps were cute as can be. And I managed to restrain myself to buying only one thing, which was all my budget at the end of the month had room for.

My aunt, who hadn't attended the last couple of years, was amazed at how big it's become. The tents have spread from the original areas in Dickson Plaza (between Royce Hall and Powell Library) and the grassy areas between Dickson and the law school/Murphy Hall, to behind the library and on back past Moore Hall, down to the plaza outside Ackerman Union where the Bruin statue is, and most lately (to my aunt's surprise) the field between the buildings that used to be the "men's gym" and the "dance building" but I think they might have new names, post-renovation.

Tents and tents and tents full of books, plus some art, some politics, some food (did not see the Wienermobile after all, but did not actively search for it), and lots of people. Another fun Festival, yup yup. See you all there next year.

contents of the purple tricycle are copyright 2004 carrie lynn king unless otherwise noted.