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Smiths Falls is getting ready to turn the page on what organizers hope will become a new annual tradition celebrating stories, creativity and the people who make the community unique.
The first Smiths Falls Literary Festival takes place Sept. 19 and 20, bringing authors, readers, families and artists together at venues across the downtown.
Town Tourism, Arts and Culture Coordinator Jeff Murphy says the event has been designed with room to grow in future years.
Murphy says Smiths Falls and the surrounding region already have plenty of creativity worth celebrating.
The festival will feature author panels covering genres including fiction, romance, mystery, fantasy, young adult writing and eco-literacy, along with opportunities for questions and more intimate conversations with writers.
Murphy says organizers have spent the past year building connections throughout the local arts scene.
Those connections are helping organizers shine a brighter spotlight on what the region has to offer.
That local spirit is reflected in the number of organizations helping bring the inaugural festival together.
Partners include the Rotary Club of Smiths Falls, Smiths Falls Public Library, local schools and Books Better, while Arlie’s Books is joining the weekend with a used book sale. The Station Theatre and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 95 will serve as key venues.
Murphy says the different groups have each brought something valuable to the table.
Organizers are also working to make the weekend accessible to people who may not purchase a panel ticket or full-weekend pass. Free programming is being developed, including opportunities aimed at families and younger residents.
A writing contest has also been shared through local schools, giving young people another way to become part of the celebration.
Beyond the cultural impact, the festival is expected to bring visitors downtown, creating opportunities for local restaurants, shops and businesses as people move between events.
But Murphy says the bigger goal is to create something residents themselves will embrace.
The festival includes live entertainment and special events alongside the literary programming, reinforcing the idea that storytelling can take many forms.
Organizers hope the first weekend is only the beginning, giving Smiths Falls another way to showcase its talent while bringing neighbours and visitors together through stories.
