PoemCity, Vermont’s largest National Poetry Month celebration, returns this April with a vibrant lineup of events, bringing together poets from across New England and beyond. Featuring poets laureate from Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Prince Edward Island, 492 poems displayed in downtown windows, and 19 poetry-related events, PoemCity continues its tradition of making poetry an immersive experience for the Montpelier community.
Organized by the Kellogg-Hubbard Library since 2010, this year’s festival kicks off on April 2 with a special reading at the Vermont Statehouse. Poets laureate Bianca Stone (Vermont), Jennifer Militello (New Hampshire), and Julia Bouwsma (Maine) will take part in a reading at 7:30 p.m. in the House Chamber as part of the Farmers Night series. The event will be recorded and made available on the ORCA Media website.
Joining them is Julie Pellissier-Lush, the first Indigenous poet laureate of Prince Edward Island. She will present Mi’kmaq creation stories through poetry, song, and drumming at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library on April 9 at 7 p.m.
Other featured poets include former Vermont poet laureate Chard deNiord (2015–2019) and former Belfast, Maine, poet laureate Toussaint St. Negritude, both of whom will participate in readings.
“People really love this event,” said Nikki Whelley, the library’s adult programs coordinator. “Our goals are to raise awareness about poetry, to share the joy that poetry brings, and to build community.”
PoemCity transforms Montpelier into a living anthology, with 492 poems displayed in downtown windows. Many of these come from students at local schools, including Berlin Elementary School, Calais Elementary School, Doty Memorial School, Rumney Memorial School, Main Street Middle School, and Union Elementary School. Most of the poems will also be published in PoemCity Anthology 2025, which is launching earlier than in past years. A book launch and reading featuring Stone, deNiord, and St. Negritude will be held at Bear Pond Books on April 6 at 4 p.m. The event will include an open mic for contributors to read their poems.
The festival offers a diverse schedule of events, including:
- “Rootstock Poets”
- “Poetry at the Montpelier Senior Activity Center”
- “Kids Open Mic Poetry Night”
- “Pride in Poetry: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Voices”
- “Sonnets and Sandwiches”
- “Meditations in an Emergency: Poets in Conversation”
- “The Poetry Society of Vermont: A Members’ Showcase”
Workshops and unique poetry experiences include “How to Get That Poem Published,” an online workshop with George Longenecker, and “Community Crostic Construction, Poetry Edition,” led by Rick Winston, in which participants will create a poetry-based puzzle to be published in local newspapers.
Throughout April, the Center for Arts and Learning at 46 Barre Street will host “Voice and Vision,” an exhibit pairing poetry with artwork from members of the Art Resource Association. On April 15, “File & Smile,” an evening of wit and wordplay with poet Tom Schmidt, will mark tax day with humor and verse.
Another highlight is “Poets of Color,” a reading on April 26 at 4:30 p.m., led by poet and teaching artist Rajnii Eddins. He will be joined by several young writers who will share their voices and experiences. “Poetry is a window to creative self-expression that enhances compassion and can inspire power, courage, and meaning,” Eddins said. Whelley described him as bringing “electric enthusiasm” to his performances.
Bringing Poets to Montpelier
One of the driving forces behind PoemCity’s ability to attract poets laureate is Rick Agran, a passionate advocate for poetry and spoken word. Agran, a longtime educator and poet, has spent 35 years teaching language and creative expression. He also hosts Bon Mot, a weekly radio show focused on poetry on WGDR.
In 2016, Agran initiated the idea of bringing together the poets laureate of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. This year, with his connections and support from Vermont Humanities, he helped make it happen again, securing the Statehouse as the venue in collaboration with Vermont State Curator David Schutz.
Before finalizing the lineup, PoemCity organizers also wanted to bring in a poet from beyond the region. Through a partnership with Vermont Humanities, Indigenous poet Julie Pellissier-Lush was invited to share her work in Montpelier and at a school in St. Johnsbury.
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