Former State Poet Laureate Marjory Wentworth to Headline Celebration of Poetry Across South Carolina
COLUMBIA – The 2025 Soda City Poetry Festival returns to Richland Library Main on Friday and Saturday, June 27–28, promising two full days of free programming, poetic performances, and workshops for all ages.
Now in its second year, the festival was founded in 2024 by Jennifer Bartell Boykin, Columbia’s Poet Laureate, as a way to celebrate the city’s vibrant poetry community and connect voices from across South Carolina. The theme for this year’s event draws from the poem One River, One Boat by Marjory Wentworth, former South Carolina Poet Laureate and a featured guest at this year’s festival.
Wentworth served as the state’s poet laureate from 2003 to 2020, and though the position has remained unfilled since her resignation, her legacy continues to influence the literary arts across the state.
Festival highlights include poetry readings, workshops, and interactive sessions led by poets representing every region of South Carolina. Daniel Cross Turner, co-editor of the Coast Lines Poetry Anthology, Ms. Tonya from the Pee Dee, and the River Poets are among the many featured presenters.
Programming will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at Richland Library Main (1431 Assembly Street), and includes family-friendly events like Poetry Story Time, Kids in Print Poetic Conversations, and teen-centered sessions such as an open mic and a songwriting workshop.
The festival will conclude with a special South Carolina Poets Laureate Reading & Dinner on Saturday, June 28 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Koger Center Gallery (1051 Greene Street). Tickets for the dinner are $25 and must be reserved in advance at https://bit.ly/SCPFDinner.
Alongside Wentworth, the dinner will feature readings by an impressive roster of current and former Poets Laureate from across the state: Glenis Redmond (Greenville), A$isahMae (Charleston), Carlo L’Chelle Dawson (Rock Hill), Jo Angela Edwins (Pee Dee), Jennifer Bartell Boykin (Columbia), Marlanda Dekine (Georgetown County Libraries), and Ed Madden (former Columbia Poet Laureate).
“We want people of all ages to come and experience the freedom and connection that poetry can bring,” said Bartell Boykin. “This festival is about building community and creating safe, joyful spaces through the written and spoken word.”
Xavier Blake, Executive Director of One Columbia for Arts & Culture, added, “We are looking forward to another powerful celebration of poetry and the creative voices of our state. Columbia is proud to host this event and welcome poets and poetry lovers from across South Carolina.”
Festival Quick Facts:
June 27–28, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia
Free Admission
Poets Laureate Dinner:
June 28, 7–9 p.m.
Koger Center Gallery, 1051 Greene Street, Columbia
$25 Admission – Register Here
For more information, follow Columbia’s Poet Laureate on social media or visit Richland Library’s website.
