The 24th Carl Sandburg Festival will take place April 25-28 to honor the life and legacy of the Galesburg-born, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and Abraham Lincoln biographer through educational and recreational activities in and around Galesburg.
Sponsors for this year’s festival include the BNSF Railway Foundation, Carl Sandburg College, Tri-States Public Radio and Galesburg Broadcasting.
All Carl Sandburg Festival events are free and open to the public. For more information about the festival, visit www.sandburg.edu/festival.
APRIL 25
12:20-1 p.m. — Visiting author Claire Hartfield, 2019 Coretta Scott King Book Award winner for “A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919.” Hartfield will discuss her writing process and give an overview of the Chicago race riot of 1919. Books available for purchase in the Sandburg Bookstore and at the event. Carl Sandburg College library (Building E), 2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd.
1 p.m. — Carl Sandburg Penny Parade collection. Carl Sandburg Historic Site, 313 E. Third St.
6:30 p.m. — 30th annual Carl Sandburg College Poetry Competition awards ceremony. Contest winners are invited to read their poems. Winners selected in four categories: elementary (first through fifth grade), junior (sixth through eighth grade), intermediate (ninth through 12th grade) and adult. Crist Student Center (Building B), Carl Sandburg College, 2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd.
7 p.m. — Knox College’s Cherry Street Combo live music performance. Fat Fish Pub, 158 N. Broad St.
APRIL 26
1:30 p.m. — Showing of “The Day Carl Sandburg Died,” a 2012 film directed by Paul Bonesteel. Galesburg Public Library, 40 E. Simmons St.
9 p.m. — 13th Rootabaga Poetry Slam, hosted by Marc K. “Slampapi” Smith, founder/creator of the international poetry slam movement. Cash prizes for slammers total $350. Slammers are requested to register with Smith before the event by contacting 815.656.1276 or slampapi@marckellysmith.com. Baked Pizza, 57 S. Seminary St.
APRIL 27
11 a.m. — Writer’s workshop, led by Marc K. “Slampapi” Smith. Carl Sandburg Historic Site, 313 E. Third St.
2 p.m. — The Big Write reception. Galesburg Public Library, 40 E. Simmons St.
4 p.m. — Workshop with the Luciano Antonio Brazilian Quartet. Jay Rehearsal Hall, Knox College’s Ford Center for the Fine Arts.
7:30 p.m. — Luciano Antonio Brazilian Quartet concert. Kresge Recital Hall, Knox College’s Ford Center for the Fine Arts.
APRIL 28
10:30 a.m. — Weekly service. Central Congregational Church, 60 Public Sq.
4-6 p.m. — Sandburg Songbag Concert featuring Chris Vallillo of Macomb. Carl Sandburg Historic Site Barn, 313 E. Third St.
***Report Courtesy of Carl Sandburg College***
