(PATERSON, NJ) -- WORD SEED INC (NJ), New Jersey’s Premiere Poetry Event, the Paterson Poetry Festival 2021 returns to Paterson, New Jersey. The Festival will feature a large range of poetry and literary events LIVE and FREE (some events will have registration fees) to the public at 77 Hamilton St, Paterson, NJ 07505. Poets and artists will come together physically and virtually bringing poetry and the literary arts to the masses October 1-4. This year’s event features poets and literary artists from around the world including Kenya, India, Canada, and several states in the US representing both coasts, and both the northern and the southern states.

Word Seed Inc. Founder, President and Paterson Poet Laureate, Talena Lachelle Queen, said “It is my greatest joy to uplift others. The Paterson Poetry Festival is an uplifting of voices, causes, and a celebration of things that matter.” 

Each year the festival hosts Open Mic, SLAM Contest, Youth Poetry Contest by submission, Poetry in Motion Car Show, Master Classes, Homage hour (Speak Series), Vendors, Food Trucks, Lit Land (interactive place for very young children), Free books and activities for all. The C Dreams band led by Craig Redmond of Paterson is set to play at the event on opening night.

“Celebrating the written word through performance and community are the pillars of Word Seed, Inc. The collaboration to include international artists  and a hybrid environment for virtual and in person attendees and performers is a new dimension for the 2021 Paterson Poetry Festival and it can only grow from here” said Word Seed Inc Vice President, Co-Chair of the Paterson Poetry Festival and Jersey City Poet Laureate Rescue Poetix ™. 

The festival takes place on October 1st from 5:00pm - 8:30pm, October 2nd from 10:00am - 8:00pm both in person and virtual, October 3 from 12:00pm - 5:00pm, and October 4 (virtually) 6:00pm - 9:00pm.  

The Paterson Poetry Festival is an annual event in celebration of words, writers and poetry lovers. The Festival was founded in 2018 and has been hosted ever since on the stairs of the Historic Passaic County Courthouse in downtown Paterson. The multi day event includes the Poetry in Motion Car Show with the Classic Riderz Car Club, The Paterson Poetry Festival Slam with a cash prize, Open Mic, The Speak Series/ Homage Stage, Lit Fest ( creative fun space for young kids), Youth Poetry Contest, Master Classes, Award ceremonies, vendors, and food. The Paterson Poetry Festival is the super bowl event for poets. People have traveled from all parts of the country to be part of the Paterson Poetry Festival that includes a bit of every artistic expression including visual arts, music and crafts.

"While we celebrate the written and spoken word each year, we are also celebrating community; and it takes a community of volunteers and dedicated supporters to make a great festival." Children’s author Felicia Capers explained. 

The Word Seed, Inc. mission is to give voice and support to writers of every age and skill level within our diverse communities. We start with the seed which is basic literacy in very young children and continue our exploration into the many blooms and blossoms that language becomes as an artistic expression of the mature writer.