Old Pueblo Poems Literary Competition to Announce Winners on the 1st Day of Spring
Old Pueblo Poems Literary Competition to Announce Winners on the 1st Day of Spring
The Mayor and Tucson’s Poet Laureate to Recognize Winners this Thursday
DOWNTOWN TUCSON, AZ, March 19, 2019 – The Downtown Tucson Partnership (DTP) and U of A Poetry Center are pleased to announce the winners of the 1st Annual Old Pueblo Poems literary competition. This year’s theme is “life in the city.” 20 winning haiku poems were selected by Tucson’s Poet Laureate, TC Tolbert and will be announced this Thursday, March 21st on the first day of Spring in Jácome Plaza.
Mayor Jonathan Rothschild and Tucson’s Poet Laureate TC Tolbert will welcome guests for an evening of culture and entertainment beginning with Japanese Drumming by Odaiko Sonora in Jácome Plaza at 5 pm. Winners will be announced and attendees will be invited on a haiku hike to hear the winning haiku poems recited by the poets themselves! The first 100 people to arrive will receive a purple parasol to shield them from the hot desert sun.
The haiku poems are etched on clear acrylic signage located along Congress Street and Stone Avenue in Downtown Tucson. “These decorative signs will provide visual interest and beauty while engaging with downtown visitors on an artistic and introspective level. It also provides a fun way for people to get out, get active and support the local economy,” stated Kathleen Eriksen, CEO of the DTP.
The community is encouraged to take a haiku hike along Congress and Stone to view the winning poems starting Thursday, March 21st through June 1st. The haiku hike is approximately ½ mile long or 1000 steps for those trying increase their daily step count.
“The response to Old Pueblo Poems, literary competition is astounding with 977 total entries; 825 came from Tucson and the remaining hail from 12 different states and five countries! This surpassed anything we expected and are excited to make this event a Tucson tradition,” said Tyler Meier, Executive Director with the U of A Poetry Center.
A PDF version of the flyer can be found HERE.
More information about the Downtown Tucson Partnership can be found HERE.