The Dodge Poetry Festival is the largest poetry event in North America and it is the most energetic, festive, and high-spirited celebration of poetry I have ever seen. (Billy Collins)

If you haven”t already made your plans, you have five days to get out to Dodge. No, now out OF Dodge – TO Dodge. The Dodge Poetry Festival 2006 takes place this week, Thursday Sept 28 to Sunday October 1. Judging from the list of performers and from past events, it”s going to be three days stuffed with poetic performances, events, readings, sharing and fun. The last Dodge Festival, which is held every two years, attracted over 19,000 people – not bad for a dying art form, hm?

Since 1986, the Dodge has been held every two years, growing with each year until it is widely considered the largest poetry event in the country. This year promises 60 poets reading from sunrise to sundown and beyond from ten different stages throughout the fairgrounds. In addition to the readings, festival goers will have the opportunity to attend workshops, round table discussions, listen to storytellers and musicians with as many as twelve different events happening simultaneously over the course of the four days. You can view the entire program at the Dodge Poetry Festival Web Site. The weekend does include special events aimed at teachers of high school students in keeping with the Dodge Foundation”s interest in encouraging a new generation of poets.

This year is the 20th anniversary of the festival and to celebrate, it is returning to the site of the first Dodge Poetry Festival, Waterloo Village, a National Historic Site in Stanhope, New Jersey. Along with information about the festival itself, the web site also offers directions and information on lodging.

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