UPCOMING EVENTS 2025

May 4

~  Buy Your Tickets HERE  ~

5th Annual

Afternoon Brunch & Auction

“A Child’s Garden of (the uni) Verse”

Sunday, May 4, 2025

1pm – 4:30pm

The Vinery at Christianson’s Nursery

15806 Best Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273

The Skagit River Poetry Foundation invites the community to our 5th annual auction and brunch to raise funds for our organization. Usher in spring with a children’s garden themed afternoon and take a stroll through the Foundation’s history as we share our mission of supporting literacy through poetry. The featured event will be the live and silent auction where attendees will bid on a wide range of items, experiences, and packages that will appeal to a variety of interests.

Join us for a delicious Dessert Dash, Raise-Your-Hand for Kids, a Secret Garden Photo Booth with costumes and props and Toss-a-Ring on a Garden Gnome game will add to the festivities. A hearty brunch will be included and you will not go home hungry because Master Chef, Georgia Johnson, is in the kitchen.

When you support the Skagit River Poetry Foundation you support student learning, mental and emotional health, and community enrichment. SRPF collaborates with poets from around the nation to bring poetry into the community when they host the Skagit River Poetry Festival every two years in La Conner, WA. Students are our Heart. Bring friends, family, neighbors, and join our party on May 4th and give so we may continue to blossom through the power of poetic expression.

Early Bird Tickets before April 15: Individual $40, Couple $70

Regular Tickets after April 15: Individual $50, Couple $90

*Special Price* – Table for 8: $300

Contact Info: Molly McNulty, directorsrpp@gmail.com

PAST EVENTS 2025

February 16

Skagit River Wonder

An Afternoon of Poetry, Stories, & Open Mic

Sunday, February 16, 2025

1pm – 2:30pm

Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center

Howard Miller Steelhead Park | Rockport, WA

The Skagit River Poetry Foundation and the Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center are partnering to bring you Skagit River Wonder: An Afternoon of Poetry, Stories, & Open Mic. Featured readers include poet and journalist, Kara Briggs, publisher and editor of the Concrete Herald, Jason Miller, and playwright and novelist, Nicola Pearson. They will share poetry and stories about the magic of the Skagit River during this special time of year when migrating eagles congregate, salmon come home to spawn, wintering birds are abundant, and the cycle of life prevails. The audience is encouraged to share during our Open Mic on the theme of “the wonder of nature.” Poetry, stories, and music are welcome.

Learn more about Jason Miller

What: Skagit River Wonder: An Afternoon of Poetry, Stories, & Open Mic

When: Sunday, February 16, 1pm – 2:30pm

Where: 52804 Rockport Park Rd, Rockport, WA 98283

Event Details: Free event, but donations are welcome. Open Mic sign-up at 12:45

Contact Info: Cora Thomas, Skagit River Poetry Foundation, skagitpoetry.cora@gmail.com

February 1

Poetry Out Loud NW Regional Finals

Saturday, February 1, 2025

2pm – 4pm

Anacortes Public Library

1220 10th Street, Anacortes, WA 98221

We are excited to host high school students from around the region as they compete for a spot at the state level competition! Two students will move on to state!

* Competitors arrive at 1pm *

Event open to the public at 1:45pm

Program begins at 2pm

Contact Info: Molly McNulty, directorsrpp@gmail.com

Watch Recitation Videos Here from the national Poetry Out Loud website

PAST EVENTS 2024

October 3, 4, 5

12th Biennial

Skagit River Poetry Festival

October 3 – 5, 2024

Venues in LaConner, WA

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE

Maple Hall – Will Call / Buy Tickets

Maple Hall Address: 104 Commercial St., La Conner, WA 98257

Presented by the Skagit River Poetry Foundation

View Festival Schedule

Poets from the PNW, to across the U.S., and around the globe

~ 3 Days ~ 35 Transformative Poets ~ View Poet Bios Here ~

Workshops, Discussions, Presentations, and Readings 

Be Inspired | Transformed | Engaged

Volunteer 6 hours at the festival and receive FREE ADMISSION

Volunteer Sign Up Here

Official 2024 Poster Artist : Anne Schreivogl

View Press Release Here

Contact Info: Molly McNulty, directorsrpp@gmail.com

September 28

Saturday, September 28

1:30pm – 3:30pm

Location: Guemes Island Church

7611 Guemes Island Rd, Anacortes, WA 98221

July 21

3rd Annual

Make Me Wanna Holler: Music & Poetry

Sunday, July 21, 2024

1pm – 5pm

Pioneer Park, 1200 S. 4th Street, LaConner, WA

Skagit River Poetry Foundation thanks our community for all their support with our summer party.

– Make Me Wanna Holler: Music and Poetry event –

Burgers, hot dogs, vegetarian options, and ice cream for sale. Music by Delta Promenade and other musicians. Plus, Poetry Open Mic so bring a few pieces to read!

Bring a camp chair.

FREE ADMISSION

Contact Info: directorsrpp@gmail.com

May 19

A Poetry Reading for Anne McCracken, 1927 – 2023

Sunday, May 19, 2024

2pm – 4:30pm

Guemes Island, WA

Come celebrate Anne McCracken’s life and legacy with poetry, stories, and memories on beautiful Guemes Island. Open Mic. Learn More About Anne.

LOCATION:

Schoolhouse Park, 5554 Edens Rd, Guemes Island

Contact Info: directorsrpp@gmail.com

May 4

4th Annual Auction – “May the 4th” (Force) Be With You

Buy Your Tickets HERE

Saturday, May 4, 2024

5pm – 9pm

Hillcrest Park Lodge

1717 S. 13th Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98274

** Individual $50, Couple $90 **

~ May the Force of Poetry Be With You ~

Our event will be out of this world as we celebrate our mission during this Star Wars extravaganza. The featured event will be the live and silent auction where attendees will bid on a wide range of items, experiences, and packages to raise funds for the organization. Be ready to dive into our delicious Dark Side Dessert Dash, Raise-Your-Lightsaber for Kids, photo ops at our “Be the New Hope” Photo Booth with costumes and props, and play games to test your Star Wars trivia knowledge. Hearty appetizers by Simply Sound Catering from Josh Van Hine and themed drinks at our Mos Eisley bar (sans alcohol, too).

Help us continue changing lives through poetry!

Contact Info: directorsrpp@gmail.com

February 10

Valentine Poetry Workshop

Saturday, February 10, 2024

12pm – 3pm

Tri Dee Studio, 215  S. 1st Street, Mount Vernon

~ Write a love poem and create a paper valentine – just in time for Valentine’s Day ~

$15 Includes All Supplies

RSVP Molly, directorsrpp@gmail.com

February 3

Poetry Out Loud Competition — NW Regional

Saturday, February 3, 2024

1pm – 5pm

Hosted by

Skagit River Poetry Foundation

Burlington Public Library, 820 E Washington Ave

Open to the Public

For more info contact Molly, directorsrpp@gmail.com

Poetry Out Loud Website – WA Arts Commission

PAST EVENTS 2023

January 11

Teacher Poetry Workshop

January 11, 2024

4:30pm – 8:30pm

Clock Hours

Lewis Hall, RM 311 & 326

Skagit Valley College, Mount Vernon

Register with Molly by Jan. 7th. Please email: directorsrpp@gmail.com

December 14

August 13

Join us for fun in the park

~ Make Me Wanna Holler  ~

a day of music, poetry, and summer fun!

Sun. August 13th, 2pm – 7pm

Pioneer Park Amphitheater in LaConner

/  Delta Promenade – blues music  \

/  Erik Christensen Band – indie originals  \

~ reading by NW poets and poetry open mic ~

1200 S. 4th Street, LaConner, WA

Burgers, Hotdogs, Ice Cream for sale!

~  FREE EVENT  ~

Sponsored by

Skagit River Poetry Foundation

June 24

Save the Date

Join us for our

~ 3rd Annual Silent and Live Auction  ~

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” themed event

Saturday June 24th, 5pm – 9pm

Hillcrest Park Lodge

1717 S. 13th Street, Mount Vernon, WA

Come Out and Support the

Skagit River Poetry Foundation

and the work that we do to build literacy through poetry

Games, activities, photo booth, appetizers!

MAY 13

SPEAKING OUR TRUTH:

AN EVENING FOR LGBTQ+ STUDENTS & THEIR ALLIES

Saturday, May 13th,  7pm – 9pm

Poetry reading featuring Seattle poet Luther Hughes & LBGTQ+ poets and Allies

The Lincoln Theatre

712 S. 1^st Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273

Free Admission

funded by a generous grant from the Inatai Foundation

MAY 12

Join us for the Skagit premiere of the documentary

THE HEALING HEART OF THE LUSHOOTSEED

Friday, May 12th, 7:30pm

The Lincoln Theatre 

712 S. 1st Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98273

– Open and free to the public –

__________

In 2002, Vi Hilbert, a Swinomish and Upper Skagit Elder, commissioned the Canadian composer Bruce Ruddell to create a symphony to help heal our country after 9/11.

On May 20, 2006, the Seattle Symphony under Maestro Gerald Swartz premiered the composition at Benaroya Hall.

Join us as we welcome

~ WILL HORNYAK, CELTIC STORYTELLER  ~

For an evening of storytelling and music

“ERIN’S DAUGHTERS: IRELAND’S HAGS, HEROINES, WARRIORS, SAINTS & SORCERESSES”

Where: Bruce Performing Arts Center, 305 N. 6th Street, LaConner, WA
When: Tuesday, March 14, 7 – 9 PM
Why: Let’s celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!

TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC by JAN PETERS & DALE RUSS
Donations at the door

For ages 14 and up

Make Me Wanna Holler Music & Poetry

With Heron & Crow, Erik Christensen Band & Deep River Band

Guest poets Michael Daley, Judy Kleinberg

& Luther Allen

&

an open poetry mic

July 24,  2-7 PM

Pioneer Park, LaConner

The event is free but food and beverages will be sold

Bring a camp chair

Schedule

2-3 PM ~ Heron & Crow~ Bluegrass and originals

3-3:45~ Featured Poets & Open Mic

3:45-5:00~ Deep River Blues~ Country blues from the ’20’s-’50’s

5-5:45~Featured Poets & Open Mic

5:45-7:00~ Erik Christensen Band~singer/songwriter folk & rock group

Poetry Night

Friday, March 25th, 2022

7 PM

Pelican Bay Books, Anacortes

Author & Poet Michael Daley will be reading new works

Also performing

Skagit River Poetry Foundation Student Poets Laureate

Olivia Elias & Lucy Shainin

&

Poet Georgia Johnson

Guitarist

Brad Killion

Join Washington State Poet Laureate, Rena Priest, Copper Canyon Press poet, Nikki Wallschlaeger,
along with local poets, Jessica Gigot & Gail Davern.

Thank you to Seaport Books in LaConner, WA for partnering with us for this event. Author books can be purchased here.