Poetry on the Salish Sea

Poetry Lovers,

We’re very pleased to announce that Poetry on the Salish Sea is back for a second summer season of poetry readings at lovely Wilderbee Farm. The series will launch on Sunday June 30 at 3pm and continue July 28, August 25, and September 29. All at 3pm. The readings will connect you and yours to the natural abundance and beauty of the Salish Sea region and to some of the most exciting contemporary poetry by writers from the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The outdoor events are free and open to all. Mark your calendar.

Poetry on the Salish Sea is dedicated to the power of poetry’s transformative influence on the human heart-mind. Those of you who attended last summer’s readings know how vital poetry can be, touching something essential and sustaining in us. The 2023 series was a wild success, with audiences of 100 + who came to hear remarkable poets and enjoy the sunshine and refreshments from Wilderbee’s meadery. We expect summer 2024 will bring more of the same. Come early — seating is limited — or bring your camp chairs and picnic blankets.

We’re anticipating a wonderful afternoon on June 30 for our kick off, with poets Anna Odessa Linzer, Tanya Holtland, and Cedar Sigo. Later in the summer Heather McHugh, Kay Ryan, Rick Barot, Melissa Kwasny, Luther Hughes, and Washington State Poet Laureate Arianne True will read; the summer lineup includes two Pulitzer prize winners, a MacArthur “Genius Award” recipient, and a former two-time U.S. Poet Laureate. Visit poetrysalishsea.com or kathrynhunt.net for the full season roster and the poets’ bios.

Bring a friend! See you there.

Cheers, Kathryn Hunt

Founder | Curator, Poetry on the Salish Sea

Wilderbee Farm

223 Cook Avenue Extension

Port Townsend, Washington

Full event schedule below and here

Our inaugural season (summer 2023) introduced 18 poets to more than 500 patrons at six poetry readings (average: 80 people per reading), a remarkable turnout for local poetry events. Our first event of 2024, on Valentine’s Day, at the Chapel at Fort Worden, featured 14 poets and attracted an enthusiastic audience of more than 120 youth and adults.

Summer Sunday Series

Wilderbee Farm & Meadery

223 Cook Avenue Extension

Parking is free; carpool if possible.

June 30, 3pm

Tanya Holtland . Anna Odessa Linzer . Cedar Sigo

July 28, 3pm

Rae Armantrout . Kay Ryan . Heather McHugh

August 25, 3pm

Erin Malone . Luther Hughes . Washington State Poet Laureate Arianne True

September 29, 3pm

Rick Barot . Melissa Kwasny . Spencer Reece

Our fabulous sponsors - THANK YOU!

Wilderbee Farm, host and sponsor (Casey and Eric Reeder)

Elliott Bay Books

Imprint Bookstore

Rose Theatre

The Production Alliance

Wilderbee Farm

223 Cook Avenue Extension

Port Townsend, Washington

Hi, I'm Kathryn Hunt, the artistic curator of Poetry on the Salish Sea. Your generous support of poetry will provide free access for residents and visitors to six outdoor poetry readings, enable us to get the word out and cover printing costs. Give what you can: $10, $50, $100. Everything helps. And please share our GoFundMe widely on your social media. Come join us!