Book Harvest’s Summer Block Party Returns to Durham with 11,000 Free Children’s Books

DURHAM, NC – Book Harvest’s beloved Summer Block Party is back for its 5th year—offering thousands of free books, hands-on activities, and family fun at Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Saturday, July 19, 2025.

This free event brings together families, educators, and community partners for an afternoon dedicated to literacy and joy. Kids of all ages—from infants to high schoolers—will get to take home brand-new books to build their personal libraries. And with over 11,000 free books available this year, no child will leave empty-handed.

Event Highlights

Where: Durham Bulls Athletic Park, 409 Blackwell St., Durham, NC
When: Saturday, July 19, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Admission: FREE and open to the public

Activities & Appearances Include:

• Free books for every child to take home and keep forever

• Visits from Wool E. Bull, Happy Dan the Magic Man, and The Poetry Fox

• Interactive exhibits and fun with PBS Kids, Museum of Life and Science, The Bull City Woodshop, Bike Durham, and many more

• Food trucks, games, giveaways, and family-friendly entertainment
  

Schedule of Events

• 1:00 PM: Gates open – food, activities, and book giveaways begin

• 1:00–4:00 PM: Special guests and character visits

• 4:00 PM: Event concludes
  

Sponsors and Supporters

This year’s Summer Block Party is made possible by generous support from:
Hendrick Subaru Southpoint, Enterprise Mobility Giving, and The Mebane Foundation.

About Book Harvest

Founded in 2011 and based in Durham, Book Harvest is dedicated to ensuring books for every child, support for every parent, and literacy for every community. Since its inception, the organization has distributed over 2.7 million books to children and families, promoting early literacy by ensuring that every child grows up surrounded by a wealth of books.

Their nationally recognized programs focus on family-powered literacy, grounded in the belief that literacy begins at birth in the home and is powered by parents, nourished with books. Learn more at bookharvest.org.