Collingwood has a stunning new library. The noted historic downtown is undergoing a revitalization facelift. The Town has an affinity for all things cultural and a long history of mounting special events. So why not celebrate all that and more in a new festival?
Those were my thoughts after a chance meeting at a dinner party in Toronto last summer. I was seated next to Lisa Zaritzky, the Director of Publicity at Thomas Allen Publishers and asked her what exactly her job entailed. Among other things, she mentioned attending literary festivals with her authors in towns and cities across the country. As I was telling her about our new LEED Gold certified library, a little light bulb went off in my head saying, “Gosh, this would be a great time for Collingwood to launch a literary festival.”
Ideas have a way of taking hold of my brain and not letting go so on the following Monday, I invited Barbara Weider, the reigning Queen of Culture in Collingwood-Blue Mountain and, Kerri Robinson, the Library CAO, to lunch. The idea resonated with them as well and ideas flowed freely. Well, let’s just say that one thing led to another and here we are less than a year later, almost ready to launch Wordstock, a literary festival for Collingwood.
In the months since that meeting, a steering committee and many sub-committees have met, brainstormed, challenged, researched, consulted and birthed a plan. The town and the BIA came on as festival partners. Significant sponsors came on board. Hundreds of volunteer hours have been spent putting together a plan that is nothing short of spectacular for an inaugural event.
Over this week and next, I’ll fill you in here on the blog with all the details because tickets are being released at 10 am on July 1st and are expected to go fast. Visit the Wordstock website often for updates. This is one event you won’t want to miss!
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Tags: Giles Blunt, Linwood Barclay, Literary Festival, Michael Winter, WORDSTOCK
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