Fairfax, VA (April 1, 2024) – The 2024 series of Fairfax County’s Poetry in the Parks, a community engagement program created by Fairfax County Poet Laureate Danielle Badra, will kick off on April 27, 2024, in celebration of National Poetry Month. In its first year, the popular series served over 120 parkgoers with free literary experiences in Fairfax County Parks.
“Poetry in the Parks brings together nature lovers and poetry lovers in an incredible way. Last year, we had professional stargazers with a newfound admiration for poetry, and poets who were first-time visitors to a featured park creating outstanding verses. It was such a beautiful melding of worlds which is ultimately the goal of each Poetry in the Parks event,” says Danielle Badra, 2022-2024 Fairfax County Poet Laureate, who partnered with ArtsFairfax and Fairfax County Park Authority on the program.
The 2024 Poetry in the Parks Readings and Workshops:
Fairfax Poet Laureate: National Poetry Month Poetry Reading
April 27, 2024, 1:00-2:30PM
Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria
A poetry reading featuring Camisha L. Jones, Emilia Philips, Benjamin Renne, and Marcielo Shirley, prominent writers of the DC/Maryland/Virginia region.
Fairfax Poet Laureate: Poetry Beneath the Stars
May 4, 2024, 7:30-8:30PM
Turner Farm Park, Great Falls
Back by popular demand, this writing workshop invites participants to contemplate the cosmos through poetry and a telescope viewing in the Roll Top Observatory.
Fairfax Poet Laureate: Pride Month Poetry Reading
June 1, 2024, 1:00-2:30 pm
Green Spring Gardens, Alexandria
Featuring some of the region’s most prominent LGBTQ+ poets, this reading lifts-up a variety of voices and experiences to honor the rich legacy and contributions of poets and poetry in the queer community. Poets include Danielle Badra, Gowri Koneswaran, and Brian Teare.
Fairfax Poet Laureate: Poetry Beneath the Stars
August 17, 2024, 7:30-8:30PM
Turner Farm Park, Great Falls
Celebrate the final installment of Poetry in the Parks with the last “Poetry Beneath the Stars” event, which promises an out of this world writing experience and telescope viewing.
Visit ArtsFairfax.org/Poetry-in-the-Parks for more details.
Poetry in the Parks Plaques
In addition to the Poetry in the Parks readings and workshops, Badra is also working to unveil a set of poetry plaques in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (Chantilly) and Riverbend Park (Great Falls), each featuring a poem about nature. As a long-term expression of Poetry in the Parks, the plaques will invite park visitors to reflect on their environment, with the additional opportunity to submit a poetic or artistic response to the plaque through a link on the ArtsFairfax website. Selected submissions will be featured in a digital collection.
ArtsFairfax is pleased to announce the search for the 2024-2027 Fairfax County Poet Laureate
In partnership with Fairfax County, ArtsFairfax raises the visibility of poetry through the designation of a Fairfax County Poet Laureate. Through this designation, ArtsFairfax seeks to celebrate and support a poet who can engage new audiences, create new opportunities for poetry to be shared, and encourage the creation of poetry and other literary works.
The Poet Laureate program recognizes a professional poet’s achievements and their demonstrated history of accomplishments; promotes a professional poet’s continued pursuit of creative work; and creates opportunities for connection between the Poet Laureate and Fairfax County communities. The Fairfax County Poet Laureate is a high honor that highlights the importance of poetry and literary arts in Fairfax County.
The Fairfax County Poet Laureate application opens April 15. The nonprofit will host a virtual information session on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 12:00-1:30PM. For more information on Poetry in the Parks and the Fairfax County Poet Laureate, visit ArtsFairfax.org/Poetry
About ArtsFairfax
ArtsFairfax is the nonprofit designated as Fairfax County’s local arts agency. Dedicated to the belief that arts are essential to a thriving community, the ArtsFairfax mission is to expand support for and access to arts and culture opportunities for the more than 1.2 million residents across Fairfax County, the City of Fairfax, and the City of Falls Church. By offering informational, financial, and programmatic services, ArtsFairfax promotes the role of arts and culture to deepen social engagement, create a sense of place, and fuel economic growth. Incorporated as a 501(c)(3) since 1964, ArtsFairfax provides these services to all who contribute to and experience arts in Fairfax County, and is funded in part by the County, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as corporations, foundations, and individuals.
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