THE KRAKEN IS BACK!
Uncommon just wouldn't be the same without a monster trying to escape from the Hole in the Wall windows. When you are down at the Uncommon Festival this weekend, snap a photo and share it with your friends. Stop into River Bookshop on your trip downtown.
What to expect this year? This year, experience the Lucky Barber Show, catch the captivating spectacle of Steve Goodtime Steampunk Opera, and be dazzled by the tricks and charm of Charming Cheat. Young wizards-in-training can enroll in the WFCU Wizard Academy, while creative minds try their hand at button making or take a swing at wacky mini-golf. Keep your eyes peeled for roaming characters wandering in the streets, bathtub singer, and test your aim with thrilling axe throwing.
Enjoy festival favourites like bingo, enter or cheer on the costume contests, shop from our Uncommon vendors, and watch art come to life during live mural painting by the Haunted Zoo — plus Saturday night ‘Uncommon’ fireworks and countless other surprises to discover all weekend long!
One of the most anticipated events of the year is back! Friday to Sunday, September 19th to 21st. See below for a map of the festival, and click here for the daily events schedule!
ELLY BLAKE BOOK SIGNING
And join us on Saturday at 2PM during Uncommon Fest for a book signing with Elly Blake! Local author (Harrow), author of The Forest King's Daughter and the Frostblood Saga.
For fans of Sarah J. Maas and Holly Black, The Forest King's Daughter is an enemies-to-forbidden-lovers romance from the New York Times best selling author of Frostblood. Once upon a time, among the bloodred trees of Thirstwood, a young forest princess became friends with a lonely boy from underground. He gifted her an amber ring, a worthless trinket—or so he thought—because no sooner did he slide it onto her finger than the queen of the underground and the forest king declared war.
Read your copy now to get ready for book two, The Cursed Queen's Daughter, coming out February 10th!
Books are available in shop, or bring your copy to have it signed.
UNCOMMON STORY TIME SUNDAY
This week at Story Time at River Bookshop, we join the festivities and fun of UNCOMMON FEST in Downtown Amherstburg. Our guest reader is Derrick Biso, who will join us at 11AM on Sunday, September 21st.
Join us and Derrick in dressing up for this magical, fantastical, and fun reading at Story Time!
FLASH FICTION WRITING WORKSHOP TUESDAY
Maureen Aitken's Flash Fiction Writing Workshop will be on Tuesday, September 23rd at 7PM. Join award-winning flash fiction writer and college professor Maureen Aitken for a one-hour reading/workshop on writing flash fiction.
Maureen Aitken's short story collection, The Patron Saint of Lost Girls, is now available. In a starred review, Kirkus Reviews calls it “a moving work that demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the human condition.”
The fee for admission is purchasing one copy of The Patron Saint of Lost Girls from River Bookshop. You can buy online to pick up later, or buy the book on the day of, or show your copy with your receipt at the door. To read more about the book, click here.
EVELYN'S CANDY HOUSE IS READY FOR THE WEEKEND
The magic is back for Uncommon Festival weekend! 
Dive into a world of enchantment and discover our festival candy specials.
Stop by Evelyn’s Candy House all weekend long! House-Made Butterbeer Fudge, Caramel & Candy Apples, Harry Potter Chocolate Frogs, Cotton Candy, and Enchanted Dubai Strawberry Cups. You do not want to miss this!
WIFF 2025 OFFICIAL SELECTION
Amherstburg's New Wave will be premiering opening night of WIFF on Thursday, October 23rd, 2025 at 8:30PM. Tickets are available for sale on their website. WIFF is hosting this premiere, which is an incredible honour.
This is a story of Marty Adler and his perseverance to follow a dream, a team coming together as one to live that dream, and the strong community that 107.9 FM The Burg continues to grow with. You feel the heart of Amherstburg through this documentary.
$30,000 RAISED FOR "FINISH IT"
This past Sunday, lead by Captain Beth England, team members from Evelyn’s Candy House and White Woods Home participated and helped raise $30,000 in Kingsville's Terry Fox run. This year marked the 45th anniversary of the Terry Fox runs across Canada. The theme of this year’s run was “Finish It.” Terry started his Marathon of Hope to shine a light on finding a cure for cancer. Now every year thousands run to raise funds to help find a cure.
So much to see and do in Amherstburg!
We hope to see you downtown this weekend.
The River Bookshop Team