Celebrating the Life and Work of William Lloyd Garrison
Call for Volunteers!
The 6th annual Newburyport Literary Festival will be held April 29-30 with events and readings taking place all over town. In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Newburyport’s native son and prominent abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison will be the featured author of the event. From the Newburyport Literary Festival’s website: “We will honor the life and work of William Lloyd Garrison as a Newburyport writer and editor of uncommon passion and ability. Local historians will also be recognized.”
As in years past, the event will feature an opening ceremony, a fundraising dinner with the authors, then a whole host of readings and discussions for readers of all ages in venues all over town. As always, with the exception of the dinner Friday night, all events are free and open to the public on a first come, first serve basis.
Jennifer Entwistle, a Newburyporter with a voracious reading appetite, has been a volunteer for all six festivals – and co-chair of the festival for the last three with Vicki Hendrickson. Jennifer reports that this year’s festival is coming together and with less than 50 days until it begins, organizers are on schedule and enjoying the planning. The only missing piece are a few more volunteers to help make the festival itself and the days immediately prior run smoothly.
Susan Jayne Doherty, the volunteer coordinator, says that each year over 100 volunteers are involved in planning and implementing the festival. If you would like to participate, your time would be greatly appreciated. Festival organizers are looking for people to help during the event to do things like:
- Hang booth signs
- Give directions, hand out Festival guides, greet guests
- Distribute posters to neighboring towns
- Assist with children’s events
- Help with clean up
- Filming at the nine different venues
The committee is also looking for people willing to take on the role of Venue Assistant. Each of the nine venues has a right hand “man” helping the Venue Captain. Setting up the venue, greeting people, assisting with seating are a few of the tasks that a Venue Assistant performs.
There are also a number of tasks requiring manpower just prior to the event, such as distributing posters in and around Newburyport, hanging banners, set up for the Friday night dinner and auction, and setting up the event venues.
If you are interested in participating, your time and efforts will be very appreciated! To learn more, please visit the Get Involved page on the Newburyport Literary Festival website to sign up and specify when and how you would like to participate. Susan is grateful to have your interest expressed by 1 April to assist with planning and any training that may be needed.
The Newburyport Literary Festival takes place every year due to the amazing work of Jennifer and Vicki and their devoted committee – but is only possible thanks to our local financial sponsors including founding sponsors The Institution for Savings and the Newburyport Five Cents Savings Bank, as well as the Provident Bank, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the Newburyport, Newbury, West Newbury, Amesbury, and Merrimac Cultural Councils and the Newburyport Rotary Club.
