Poets of all ages and capabilities are being invited to submit their work for the Lantern Festival poetry contest.
“Light” is the theme for this year’s contest. Poems must be 40 lines or less and unpublished.
All submissions will be compiled into a booklet for sale at Black Bonds Books for $2 each. Select poets will be asked to read at the Lantern Festival which takes place Feb. 19 at Haney Place Mall.
Deadline for submissions is Jan. 30. Poems can be dropped off at Black Bond Books in the mall, e-mailed to inquiries@downtownmapleridge.ca or mailed to Maple Ridge Festival of Light Society #34-22374 Lougheed Highway, Maple Ridge, V2X 2T5.
Submissions must include your name, age, address, phone number and e-mail address.
Winning poets will receive an official certificate of participation and a free poetry booklet.
Shari Craig, manager of Black Bond Books in Haney Place Mall, will be judging the poetry along with a team of judges.
“Light can be interpreted in different ways,” said Craig. “It doesn’t have to be literal.”
“It is always interesting to see what people come up with,” she said.
There were 17 entries in last years contest.
Prizes will be awarded in four categories; children up to 10-years-old, junior 11-to-15-years, adult 16-to-59 years and 60-years and over.
The Lantern Festival is a free event that takes place Feb. 19 at Haney Place Mall.
Here participants will be able to make their own lanterns, watch culturally diverse performances and participate in the lantern parade being led by Chinese lion dancers starting at 7:30 pm.
For more information go to http://www.downtownmapleridge.ca.