05/16/2025
Tomorrow would be the poet Lorine Niedecker's 122nd birthday, and to celebrate this year, the Friends of Lorine Niedecker are partnering with the Fort Atkinson Arts Council, the Hoard Historical Museum and the Chamber of Commerce to support writers and artists.
There's a full day of celebrating art in Fort Atkinson, here is a timeline of events planned on May 17:
* 8 a.m. to noon — Farmers Market: Poetry readings during music breaks at the market.
* 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Fort Atkinson Farmers Market, Main Street Bridge and the 100 block of South Main Street in Fort Atkinson. Plein air (outdoor) painters will be on the Main Street Bridge, while during Chalk the Walk kids and adults will create colorful sidewalk squares, some filled with poetry, on Main Street and on the Main Street Bridge. Chalk will be provided.
* 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Visit the Hoard Historical Museum for local history exhibits, including the Lorine Niedecker room.
* 10 to 11 a.m. — At the Hoard Historical Museum, Lorine Niedecker 2025 Fellowship winner Caryl Pagel will present on her two-week research and study of poet Lorine Niedecker. Nick Gulig, Wisconsin poet laureate, will attend.
* Lunch — Choose from many dining opportunities in Fort Atkinson.
* Write On the River will take place all day along the River Walk. Stroll to destinations of your choice.
* 5 p.m. — Writers will gather at Café Carpe to discuss observations from the day. The café will be open for dinner.
* 6 to 7 p.m. — Open mic at Café Carpe. Bring your poems or favorite poems to share with an audience. A sign-up sheet will be available at 5 p.m. at the café.
