The workshops start Monday and the 25th Anniversary edition of the Saskatchewan Festival of Words will be underway at the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre!
After presenting the festival virtually in 2020, organizers are most looking forward to hosting some sessions live, in-person, at the Cultural Centre.
Amanda Farnel, Operations Coordinator at the Saskatchewan Festival of Words, is more than excited.
"We're going to be live streaming all of our online events into the Mae Wilson Theatre this year and we have three actual live, in-person events on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday of the festival including our annual concert which this year will feature Val Halla and it's all pay what you can. So, you can just show up, make a donation and enjoy the show," Amanda explained.
And with public health restrictions being lifted Sunday in Saskatchewan, they're hoping to see lots of people.
"We don't have a set limit on attendance," Amanda said. "You just don't know how many people are going to show up but we're going to have ushers leading everyone to their seats so we can still socially distance as much as possible and we're recommending that people wear their masks in the theatre just to keep everyone as safe as possible," Amanda said. 
And while most presenters and attendees will be participating virtually, there will be some presenters taking part in person, including Moose Jaw born-and-raised author Angie Abdou.
"She's going to be hosting all of our live, in-person events. We have the Sask Book Awards session on Friday and we're going to have the authors here reading in the theatre," Amanda said with a smile.
"We're going to have a local artists panel on Sunday and they're all going to be in the theatre too, so, actual, live events and we're really excited about that. And all of those events will be streamed online as well for those who aren't quite brave enough to attend anything yet."
Sarah and Amanda want to make it clear they have lots of room for all to join in on the fun and, just like last year, they're not selling festival passes, just asking people to pay what they can.
"It's been a hard year for everyone, so we just want to make sure that anyone who wants to attend the festival can. There will be no barriers... Everything online will be fully accessible... There should be no reason why you can't attend the festival this year. We want to make sure that it's an entertaining event that people can enjoy without any worry," Amanda said.
Engaging young literary fans and writers has been a focus at the Saskatchewan Festival of Words for a number of years now and that will continue.
"None of our events are restricted so it's for all ages - anyone can come to anything but for the little kids, we've got Story Time for Little Ones in partnership with the Moose Jaw Public Library on Tuesday in Crescent Park," Sarah explained. "We've also got our Teen Writing Experience which has been going for over a decade. It's all online this year but we've got such a great group of youth that come and participate in that. It's really an intensive writing workshop that's weeklong and often those students develop life-long friendships with one another - fellow writers and their instructors. We're really lucky to have Kristine Scarrow back this year. She has created a really great program."
Youngsters are also invited to take part in the Kids Ink program. It's a workshop for those aged 9 to 13, giving them hands-on experience with a nationally acclaimed author. The program focuses on creative writing, giving kids a creative space to develop their potential.
"It's going to be run by a local author this year. Melanie McFarlane is so excited to host it so the kids will be in for a real treat. That one's online too and you can sign up at our website at festivalofwords.com," Amanda said.
While she says it's hard to pick one or two presenters that she's most looking forward to seeing this year, Amanda says she's excited to have author Harold Johnson participating again.
"He always says our festival is his favourite. He always brings wisdom and entertainment - he's such a great speaker so I'm really excited to have him back again this year," Amanda said. "He'll be at home, presenting virtually, but he's involved in a couple of panels this year including our 25th-anniversary panel which will feature some of our festival favourites from the past 25 years, talking about previous festivals and what it's like to be an author at festivals across the country. We're really excited about that."
Sarah says the whole idea behind the 25th anniversary of the Saskatchewan Festival of Words was to bring in some people who audiences have loved to see over the years and having Angie Abdou here was of utmost importance.
"I always call her the hometown sweetheart. She's from Moose Jaw. She's passionate about our community. She comes here and it's like she never left... When we ask her to come, she says "Ya, I'll do anything", so we can get her moderating panels and interviewing people and she's also a really great writer so presenting her work is exciting too... She's got a new book out (This One Wild Life) so she'll be promoting it and we're just really excited to have her."
"We'll be downstairs in the Cultural Centre and Mae Wilson Theatre making sure people have everything they need, and we'll be assisting with book sales so Post Horizon Booksellers and McNally Robinson will have books available for people so all of our authors' books will be here and available for sale," Sarah explained.
"Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday the Cultural Centre will be bustling with activity. People will be coming in for events and our staff and volunteers along with Cultural Centre staff will be here, so it'll be busy. We're hoping people are ready to get out and participate in some musical or literary entertainment safely in the Cultural Centre. We'll be sanitizing and recommending masks, so it'll be nice for people, and I think people are ready to get out and do some stuff again," Sarah said enthusiastically.
It all starts Monday, July 12th and continues through Sunday, July 18th.
If you'd like more information on the 25th Anniversary edition of the Saskatchewan Festival of Words, don't hesitate to call 306 691 0557 and check out the easy-to-navigate website: festivalofwords.com
Tue, Apr 16, 7:00 PM
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