Tom Tom Festival Event – Poetry Readings in the Garden

The Botanical Garden of the Piedmont is hosting “Poetry Readings in the Garden: It Takes Courage to Be a Poet” in conjunction with the Tom Tom Festival 2026!

We are soliciting area poets, ages 15 years and older, to present one original work of poetry, lasting no longer than 2 minutes per poet’s reading. The focus of the poetry will be Nature, and this year’s Tom Tom Festival theme of Courage.

All participating poets will receive a free copy of You Are Here, an anthology of poetry in nature.

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Place: The Botanical Garden of the Piedmont Amphitheater (in case of inclement weather the event will be under a tent in the Garden), 950 Melbourne Road, Charlottesville, VA 22902

If you are interested in reading for this year’s event, please CLICK THE LINK BELOW to register by April 10, 2026.

https://forms.gle/Yi3MqGf98GLXquzE9

The BGP Tom Tom Festival event for poets and creative writers is supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, highlighting poetry in the natural world. This and other poetry events in the Garden will span throughout the year.