The submission deadline for the Big Read POEtry contest has passed, but it's not too late to participate in the Big Read POEtry Open Mic events!
All are invited to share original poetry, a favorite Poe poem, or just listen and enjoy!
Teen and Adult Poets are invited to share their poems on October 14th from 5:30-7:00pm at the Literacy Volunteers 21 East Book Store and Café located at 21 East Second Street in Dunkirk and Young Poets are invited to share their poems on October 15th from 10:00am-12:30pm at the Fredonia Farmers’ Market located on Church Street in Fredonia. Both events are free to attend.
Teens and adults will enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the 21 East Book Store and Café for the first Open Mic event on October 14th from 5:30-7:00pm. 21 East offers coffee and espresso drinks as well as pastries and light lunch fare catered by the Mustard Seed. 21 East also has a great selection of gently used books available for purchase. All sales from the café and book store benefit the Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County.
Then at 10:00am Saturday, October 15th, young poets will control the microphone at the Fredonia Farmers’ Market Trick-or-Treat Day. Kids are invited to wear their Halloween costumes, get treats from the market’s vendors, decorate a free pumpkin, and enjoy spooky stories read by Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society members.
POEtry contest winners will be recognized and awarded at the Open Mic events. A first and second place will be awarded for each of the four age categories: grades K-5, grades 6-8, grades 9-12, and adult. In addition, two “Overall Grand Prize” winners will be selected from among the four categories. An “audience favorite” will also be selected at each Open Mic event. Winning poets will receive an age appropriate collected works of Edgar Allan Poe and a gift certificate to the Book Nook in Dunkirk. Honorable mention poets will be recognized at these events as well.
These Open Mic events mark the end of the Big Read POEtry Contest, which closed on October 5th. The Big Read POEtry Contest invited community members of all ages to submit original macabre and spooky poems as part of Chautauqua County’s month long celebration of Edgar Allan Poe’s works.