Bradford, Vermont’s PoemTown

Bradford, Vermont, is a small town with a big heart, and one of its most unique and beloved traditions is PoemTown. Every year, in the month of April, the town transforms into a celebration of poetry, with poems posted in storefronts, on street signs, and even in trees.

PoemTown was born in 2012 when a group of Bradford residents decided to bring poetry to the forefront of the town’s culture. They contacted local businesses and community members, asking them to display poems on their windows and their properties. The response was overwhelming, with more than 200 poems posted throughout the town in the first year alone.

Since then, PoemTown has grown into a beloved annual event that draws visitors from all over Vermont and beyond. Each year, a different theme is chosen for the poems, ranging from love and loss to nature and the environment. Both professional poets and community members write poems, which are displayed creatively, from chalk art on the sidewalks to poems hanging from tree branches.

But PoemTown is more than just a celebration of poetry – it’s a celebration of community. The event brings people together in a shared love of language and creativity, and it’s a testament to the power of art to connect and inspire us.

The impact of PoemTown can be felt throughout the town, with residents and visitors alike pausing to read the poems and reflect on their meaning. The event has even inspired some residents to start writing poetry themselves, and there are now poetry workshops and open mic nights held throughout the year.

PoemTown is a shining example of the power of art and community to bring people together in a world that can sometimes feel disconnected and divided. Whether you’re a lifelong lover of poetry or just looking for a fun and unique way to experience small-town Vermont, PoemTown is not to be missed.