The public is invited to meet their muse outdoors this summer at Poets in the Park, a free poetry picnic, festival and book fair on July 19, at Anderson Park at 7802 168th Ave. N.E. in downtown Redmond.

Between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., poetry enthusiasts can hear a variety of poetry readings from nationally recognized poets on three stages, while aspiring writers can participate in drop-in workshops with some of the same poets throughout the day. Avid readers will have the opportunity to add new volumes of poetry to their summer reading lists at a book fair coordinated by Park Place Books. Attendees can also bring a book and take a book at a poetry book swap. At lunchtime, everyone is invited to bring a picnic lunch for a poetry picnic with readings and music. Other activities include a poetry labyrinth, art installations and an outdoor café with coffee and treats.

“Poetry and our stunning natural beauty are some of the best things Redmond has to offer,” said Michael Dylan Welch, Redmond poet laureate and festival director. “Simply put, Poets in the Park is a great way to spend a beautiful summer Saturday afternoon with an inspiring community of readers and writers.”

Welch promotes and teaches of poetry and is published in a variety of forms. He will take the stage with past Redmond poet laureates Rebecca Meredith and Jeannine Hall Gailey. Also reading is Elizabeth Austin, Washington State poet laureate, whose work has been featured on The Writer’s Almanac and Verse Daily and produces poetry programming for KUOW 94.9.

Poets in the Park is Welch’s initiative and is hosted by the City of Redmond in partnership with the Redmond Association of SpokenWord and Park Place Books. Welch brings back reprisal of a conference by the same name held between 2004 and 2005 at Marymoor Park. This event builds on the success of the past conference that focused on the craft of poetry with new elements intended for the general public. For a full list of readers and schedule of activities, visit www.redmond.gov/poetlaureate.

The City of Redmond poet laureate works to build a more literate and understanding community through poetry and the literary arts. For more information, contact Joshua Heim, arts administrator, at (425) 556-2316 or jmheim@redmond.gov.