A new poetry festival called Day of the Poets is coming to Orangeville on May 5 and will run from 11am to 4pm.
More than 20 poets, both local and regional, will be sharing their poetry at four different venues throughout the downtown, and street activities will include window poetry and random acts of poetry offered to passersby one-on-one.
Venues will include Town Hall, the library on Mill St., Maggiolly’s and Dragonfly Arts.
As Poet Laureate of Dufferin County and event organizer, Harry Posner’s mandate is to highlight the art of poetry through public appearances and the creation of events that encourage local poets to present their work in public.
“Poetry never seems to get the attention it deserves,” he said.
“At least once a year poetry should be celebrated in all its forms, and poets should be recognized for their cultural contributions.”
Potential to become annual event
Having helped to organize the Collingwood Literary Festival, along with many other spoken word events in the area, Posner said the festival has the potential to become an annual event in Orangeville’s cultural calendar.
“I’m hoping the festival will be a busy hive of poetic energy, so that people who go downtown that day will be immersed in the beauty of language at every turn,” he said.
With support from the Town of Orangeville, the League of Canadian Poets, the Business Improvement Association, Dufferin Arts Council, business and private sponsors, Day of the Poets promises to be a unique and fun-filled literary event for people of all ages.
“Haiku, limericks, sonnets, free form verse and slam poetry,” Posner said. “You’ll hear it all, and it’s all free.”
For information and to volunteer to help at the festival, email harryposner@rogers.com.
