Poetry in Bloom Contest & Poetry Walk
Bainbridge Gardens, Bainbridge Vineyards, and Bainbridge Island Press are excited to announce POETRY IN BLOOM, a special contest culminating in a poetry walk at Bainbridge Gardens on Thursday, July 31st, 2025.
Bainbridge Island Press invites poets of all ages to participate in our Poetry Walk contest. Submit poems celebrating the natural beauty and wonder of gardens. Winning entries will be displayed during our Poetry in Bloom event at Bainbridge Gardens.
Contest Details:
- Theme: "Poetry in Bloom" - poems should explore garden-related topics, celebrating the beauty, seasons, growth, and life found in nature's cultivated spaces
- Eligibility: Open to poets of all ages from Bainbridge and surrounding areas
- Submission Deadline: June 1st - July 20th
- Venue Partners: Bainbridge Gardens, Bainbridge Vineyards, Local Music
Live Reading Event: On July 31st, the Poetry in Bloom celebration will begin with a featured presentation by Bainbridge Island's Poet of the Year, Makaela Smith, who will share selections from her own works. Following a brief intermission, Poetry Walk poets will be able to read their chosen poems.
Poetry Walk Experience: Selected poems will be beautifully displayed along the Bainbridge Gardens forest trail as part of our Poetry Walk installation. Visitors can stroll through nature while discovering verses that capture the poetic essence of garden life. The Poetry Walk will be available July 30 - August 3 , allowing guests to experience poetry and nature in harmony.
Join us for an unforgettable community event where poetry comes alive in a breathtaking garden setting.