Cheering is an endurance sport of its own—and no spectator is complete without a creative, unexpected bookish sign in hand. Join Read & Run Chicago and Family Style RC for a Marathon Sign-Making Party at Open Books Pilsen as we get ready to support runners in the 2025 Bank of America Chicago Marathon!
We’ll provide Best Day Brewing NA beers and the inspiration, and you bring the markers, poster boards or repurposed cardboard boxes. Think “Plot Twist: You’re Awesome” or “I see your main character energy!”—the kinds of cheer signs that bookish runners love to see when they’re hitting our cheer zone at mile 18.9.
Whether you’re cheering for a friend, a family member, or just want to support the Chicago running community, this is your chance to gather with fellow book lovers and runners, get creative, and craft signs that will bring laughs and smiles to race day.
Have books to donate? Open Books welcomes donations of any sellable book in good condition. Some of our greatest needs include books in Spanish, and those that feature BIPOC characters and cityscapes.