Poetry Festival Begins Friday

The inaugural Mackinac Island Poetry Festival is this weekend.

Poet Susan Firer appears at the Mackinac Island Public Library with a presentation entitled, "Lilacs in Poetry, Poetry in Lilacs" Friday, July 28, at 4 p.m.

At 8 p.m., poets Freya Manfred and Thomas R. Smith will read from old and new work at Little Stone Church.

Saturday, July 29, is a day of participation as Jim Hazard joins the other poets to lead a series of one-hour workshops at Mission Point Resort's Classroom Building, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Afterwards, Mr. Hazard and Ms.

Firer will read from old and new work at 8 p.m. at Little Stone Church.

Following the conclusion of Saturday's events, a post-festival celebration will be held at Grand Hotel.

The Mackinac Island Poetry Festival is organized by East Bluff cottager and published poet Jim Lenfestey. Mackinac Island, he said, is the perfect place to hold a festival because of its unique location, beautiful setting, and excellent facilities.

Admission to all the readings and workshops is free. The Poetry Festival is sponsored by the Mackinac Arts Council.