(Enlarge) Tables of contents: Patrons look through books for sale at a Random House Book Fair in 2007 at Carroll Community College. The fair returns to the campus Friday and Saturday, March 5 and 6. (File Photo/2007)

The 13th annual Random House Book Fair is officially scheduled for Saturday, March 6.

But like many good books, the tale of the 2010 book fair has a "forward" -- on Friday, March 5, the fair will host a series of preview events to whet the appetites of book lovers of all ages.

Both days' events will be held at Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Road, Westminster, where the fair has been hosted for years.

Proceeds from the fair benefit the Carroll Community College Foundation for student scholarships at the college.

CCC President Dr. Faye Pappalardo said the partnership between the college and Random House, based in Westminster, has been good for both entities -- and the community.

"Together, we provide a fine literary and family event to visitors from the county and the region," said Pappalardo.

Friday's agenda is dubbed a "kick-off" for the fair, and features two screenings of the animated family movie, "Planet 51" at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Theater in the Scott Center.

Admission to the movie is $3. Tickets go on sale March 1 and continue through March 4. Call 410-386-8152 for advance tickets or purchase them at the theater starting at 4 p.m. March 5.

Also on Friday, author and poet Marion Winik, will read from her poems and essays at 7 p.m. in the Student Center.

Winik's essays and articles have been published in The New York Times Magazine, O, Salon and The Los Angeles Times, among others. Her commentaries can be heard on National Public Radio's "All Things Considered."

Other Friday events occur earlier in the day and are part of a package geared toward senior residents. They include:

* A book talk with Timothy Dixon, author of "Maryland's First Black State Treasurer," at 1:30 p.m.;

* A "Memoirs Workshop" presented by local author and retired professor Dr. Ken Shook, also at 1:30 p.m.; and

* Book sales, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The plot thickens ...

On Saturday, the fair runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a slate of events centered around book discussions and signings, as well as free giveaways, food, entertaining and more.

Authors on hand will include:

* Emily Jenkins, author of children's books including "Toys Go Out," "Toy Dance Party" and other;

* David Sibley, author of "The Sibley Guide to Birds;" and

* Karin Slaughter, author of "Faithless and Fractured," "Undone" and others.

Mother and daughter Kaye and Liv Hansen, authors of "The Whimsical Bakehouse," will host a cake judging event at 10 a.m.

The two will judge cakes with a book theme, created by students of the Carroll County Career and Technology Center.

Later, the Hansens will conduct a decorating workshop at 1 p.m.

Local authors will also be on hand to sign books and greet patrons, and a silent auction will be held throughout the day in the college's Great Hall.

While supplies last, free books will be given to children, and a reading resource area will highlight books and materials encouraging young readers.

Other activities for kids include children's storytimes, hosted by the Carroll County Public Library, and a performance of "Professor Wizard's Wonders of Science" show.

The winners of a Student Writing Contest, conducted by the college and Random House, will be announced, and winners will read their works in the Theater in the Scott Center.

In the contest, Carroll County students in grades one through 12 were invited to enter a short story or poem.

In addition to those entries, high school students were eligible to enter a nonfiction composition -- an essay, memoir or personal narrative.

Admission is free. In addition to Random House, other sponsors include BB&T, Rotary Clubs of Carroll County, Carroll County Times and State Farm.

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