Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Upcoming book sale

Rotary Outdoor Book Sale returns to Chilliwack next week, offering bargains galore

Aug 14, 2025 | 7:00 AM

CHILLIWACK — What began as a pandemic-era social distancing event in Chilliwack has grown into a popular one-day sale for bibliophiles and bargain hunters alike.

Chilliwack Rotary’s Outdoor Book Sale returns next week Saturday, August 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rotary service building at 44870 Wolfe Road, near Townsend Park.

Rotary president Ralph Jones expressed gratitude for the outpouring of community support which makes the event possible.

“We are so thankful for the many people that mark this event on their calendars and join us every year. Not only that, but the community supports all year by donating items for our book sale, by dropping them in our orange bins outside the Rotary building on Wolfe Road,” Jones said. “Our volunteers are in the building at least three times a week, sorting through the items and keeping the best for the upcoming book sales.”

Even bad weather can’t keep Chilliwack book lovers and deal-seekers away. Due to heavy rain last year, the club moved the outdoor sale inside.

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Janet Reeves, chair of the book sale committee, said, “We knew we didn’t want to let our generous patrons down. We made the decision to move the sale into our warehouse – on a limited scale, and with some challenges – but the community was so thankful we still went ahead, and so were we!”

Reeves said the event draws people from Chilliwack and beyond.

“This book sale is hugely popular not just in Chilliwack, but throughout the Lower Mainland and beyond. People know that we carefully select the best items for the sale, whether it’s books, record albums, CDs or DVDs,” Reeves said. “We even have a handful of puzzles.”

All proceeds raised through the Book Sale is channeled back into the community, through scholarships for high school students, and supporting the service club’s work with food hampers, community garden, and the Rotary Trail.

Rotary has expanded the book sale by inviting local Chilliwack firefighters to sell hot dogs, chips and drinks at the sale, enabling guests to grab a bite to eat and a cool drink, and browse a little longer. All proceeds from food sales offered by firefighters will also benefit Rotary.

The club says they can use a few more community volunteers. Volunteers can help out the day before or the day of the sale. Volunteers must be at least 14 years old, and can lift up to 30 lbs. Email rotaryclubofchilliwack@gmail.com to get more information or to volunteer.

The Rotary Club of Chilliwack is dedicated to improving lives of people, both in the community and around the world. Chartered in 1934, the club is the largest club in Chilliwack, and is most known for the Rotary Trail, the annual Rotary Dinner, the Rotary Garden Tour, and the Rotary Book Sale, in addition to scholarship and food programs for school-aged students.