Squatchberry Literary Festival now accepting registrations

GREENSTONE, Ontario – The volunteer committee organizing Squatchberry Literary Festival have set the fees for admission. The Festival coincides with Geraldton’s celebrations of its 75th Anniversary of Incorporation.

The Festival begins Friday evening, June 29th, and runs until Sunday afternoon, July 1st, in Geraldton’s Community Centre.

Seventeen published writers from Greenstone and Thunder Bay will offer readings of their works and will lead workshops and panel discussions.

On Friday evening, the Festival kickoff will feature a presentation by award-winning Charles Wilkins, whose recent adventure of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean will soon be narrated in a new book. Only registrants for the Readings Package will be admitted to the presentation.

On Saturday evening at the Festival banquet, Arthur Black, syndicated columnist, will be the guest speaker. His literary awards include three Stephen Leacock Medals for Humour.

Registration forms are available through the website at SquatchberryFestival.ca. Edgar Lavoie, Chair of the committee says, “We believe the fees are bargains for such a showcase of talented writers”.

The Readings Package is $25.00, the Workshops Package (running concurrently) is $25.00, and Banquet Tickets are $35.00. “Preference for seating at the Banquet,” shares Lavoie, “Goes to purchasers of the Readings or Workshops Package.”

The original Squatchberry Festivals ran as annual events from 1981 to 1984, sponsored by The Squatchberry Journal. The Journal was the first little magazine of Northwestern Ontario about arts and literature, publishing sixteen editions from 1975 to 1984. Lavoie served as editor and publisher.

Both The Journal and the Festivals broke new ground by featuring writers and artists from this region.

Geraldton’s 75th Anniversary Celebrations will be hosting home-comers from across Canada.