Starting on Thursday, April 26, Ballard will hold a brand-new Poetry Fest featuring local poets as well as Washington State Poet Laureate Kathleen Flenniken.

A collaboration between Ballard's Secret Garden Books and the Washington Poets Association, the weekend of poetry celebrates National Poetry Month with readings, open mics, children's events, and more.

Local poets will be reading their work around Ballard through the weekend, and all events are free and open to the community.
 
"Christy McDanold, owner of Secret Garden, came up with the idea of having a series of poetry readings for National Poetry Month and we liked the idea," said Don Kentop of the Washington Poetry Association.

There will be readings throughout the Ballard community at places such as Conor Byrne Pub, Adams Elementary, Umpqua bank, Ballard Library, and more.

"It's modest," said Kentop. "But it's a beginning."

MacDonald and the Kentop are hoping for the Ballard Poetry Fest to become an annual event.

Schedule:

The Ballard Poetry Fest kicks off on Thursday, April 26, with a 6:30 p.m. reading at the Ballard Public Library, 5614 22nd Avenue N.W.
Hosted by Floating Bridge Press, the featured poets will be  Joan Fiset, Arthur Ginsberg, Sybil James and Steven Quig.

Friday:
- A reading and open mic hosted by David Thornbrugh featuring Greg Bem, Jeanine Walker, Nadine Maestas and Doug Nufer. Bring your poems for the open mic.
4 p.m. at Umpqua Bank, 2032 NW Market Street

- A reading and open mic hosted by Don Kentop featuring Nancy Dahlberg, Sharon Cumberland, Dennis Caswell and Belle Randall. Bring your poems for the open mic.
6 p.m. at Secret Garden Books, 2214 NW Market Street

- A reading, hosted by school librarian Marlene Friend, featuring children’s poet George Shannon.
6:30 p.m. at Adams Elementary School, 6110 28th Ave NW

Saturday:
 - A reading and open mic hosted by Angel Latterell, featuring Washington State Poet Laureate Kathleen Flenniken, with Don Kentop, Michael Schein and Carol Levin. Bring your poems for the open mic.
1 p.m. at Secret Garden Books, 2214 NW Market Street

- A reading and open mic hosted by Jed Myers featuring Lyn Coffin, Peter Munro, Peter Ludwin, Belle Randall, and Bellingham poet James Bertolino. Bring your poems for the open mic.
5 p.m. at Conor Byrne Pub, 5140 Ballard Avenue NW

- A reading and open mic hosted by Cathy Ross featuring haiku poet Michael Dylan Welch, with Kelly Rigel Hower and Nan Harty. Bring your poems for the open mic.
7 p.m. at The Ballard Landmark, 5433 Leary Avenue NW