From New York City Cafés To St. Augustine’s Streets: Groundskeeper Turned Poet Laureate Leads St. Augustine PoetFest

FROM NEW YORK CITY CAFÉS TO ST. AUGUSTINE’S STREETS: GROUNDSKEEPER TURNED POET LAUREATE LEADS ST. AUGUSTINE POETFEST

April 10-12: Annual Festival Highlights National Poetry Month and Literary Arts in St. Johns County

St. Johns County, Fla. – March 24, 2025 – As April’s National Poetry Month approaches, St. Johns County is preparing to celebrate the power of words with the 4th Annual St. Augustine PoetFest, set for April 10-12, 2025. This three-day event, presented by the St. Johns Cultural Council, Flagler College, and Ancient City Poets, brings together poets, writers, and literature lovers for a weekend of workshops, performances, and discussions on the importance of poetry in culture and history.

At the helm of the festival is Chris Bodor, Florida Beat Poet Laureate and longtime Flagler College groundskeeper. While Bodor spends his days tending to the college’s historic landscape, he is equally dedicated to cultivating the literary arts in St. Johns County.

Festival Highlights:

• Day One: PoetFest kicks off on Thursday, April 10, at The Waterworks (184 San Marco Ave.) from 6 to 9 p.m., featuring a Beat Poet Summit and an open mic session, where local and visiting poets can take the stage.

• Day Two: On Friday, April 11, Flagler College’s Ringhaver Student Center (50 Sevilla St.) hosts a full day of poetry workshops, panel discussions, and a book bazaar from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. That evening, the Flagler College English Department will present an Open Mic Night at Relampago Coffee Lab (74 Spanish St.) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

  • A special highlight of the day is the “Dolly Parton Poetry Workshop” with Dustin Brookshire, held from 1 p.m. to 2:20 p.m. in the Virginia Room. This workshop celebrates Parton’s lyrical storytelling and explores how her songwriting inspires poetry and creative writing.

• Day Three: The festival continues on Saturday, April 12, with poetry panels, scheduled readings, and book signings at Flagler College from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • One of the festival’s signature events, the Haiku Contest Winner Announcement, will also take place on Saturday, April 12, celebrating the art of concise and expressive poetry by recognizing the top submissions. The festival will conclude with a closing reception, where attendees can celebrate the contest winners and connect with fellow poetry enthusiasts.

More About Chris Bodor

Bodor founded Ancient City Poets, a group with roots in New York City’s thriving poetry scene, where he once hosted open mic nights before relocating to St. Augustine, Florida. Since then, he has worked to make poetry a visible and accessible part of life in St. Johns County, proving that the literary arts can flourish anywhere—from the neon lights of Manhattan to the historic charm of the nation’s oldest city.

“Poetry is everywhere—on city streets, in small towns, and in the air we breathe,” Bodor said. “I simply want to give opportunities to others, because I would be nowhere if opportunities were not given to me. Poetry is alive in St. Johns County. Under the umbrella of National Poetry Month, we can share that passion and excitement every April, by welcoming locals as well as traveling poets and poetry lovers.”

PoetFest is free, open to the public and welcomes seasoned poets, emerging writers, and anyone interested in the literary arts. The festival offers an opportunity to engage with accomplished poets, discover new voices, and learn more about the significance of poetry in culture and history. Volunteer opportunities are also available here: https://linktr.ee/stapoetfest. For more information, visit www.ancientcitypoets.org/st-augustine-poetfest.

#  #  #

The St. Johns Cultural Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting local artists and arts organizations, ensuring that residents of and visitors to St. Johns County have access to high-quality arts, culture, and heritage experiences. Visit the websites at https://www.historiccoastculture.com and https://www.stjohnsculture.com.