Library now accepting James MacRae Poetry Contest submissions

New category will celebrate Canada 150

The St. Marys Public Library is inviting writers of all ages to submit poems to its James MacRae Poetry Contest in April. First run in 2013, the contest is named after the pseudonym of John James MacDonald -- a well-known local poet and Library patron who retired in St. Marys in 1875. In previous years, the contest has received hundreds of submissions from local poets of all ages.

New this year is a special Canada 150 category for pieces inspired by our nation’s sesquicentennial. Writers may also submit to a general category.

Everyone is welcome to participate and entries will be judged according to the following age ranges: adult, grades kindergarten to 2, grades 3 to 4, grades 5 to 6, grades 7 to 8 and grades 9 to 12.

The contest deadline is April 26 at 8:00 p.m. Submission forms are available at the library or online at www.townofstmarys.com/jamesmacraepoetrycontest. Completed forms and poems may be dropped-off at the Library or emailed to libraryinfo@town.stmarys.on.ca.

The awards ceremony will take place on May 11 at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall auditorium.
Mayor Al Strathdee will present the awards and winners will have the opportunity to read their poems. This year’s judges are Brian Busby, Nancy Vermond and Chet Greason.

Library staff are happy to come visit organizations and clubs to speak about the contest. To request a visit or learn more, please contact Rebecca Webb, Library Services Coordinator at 519-284-3346, ext. 728 or rwebb@stmaryspubliclibrary.ca.

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Contact

Stacey Wheal | Corporate Communications Specialist
519-284-2340, ext. 429 | swheal@town.stmarys.on.ca