A book celebrating the art and poetry of the Catskills will be debuted Saturday at the first Catskills Poetry Festival at the Erpf House in Arkville.
The festival runs from 1 to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Award-winning poets from the Catskill Mountain Region will give performances of their poems depicting life in rural America, love and nature. Included are musical guests Princes of Serendip and James Krueger.
The Catskill Almanac is a 72-page compilation of poems, short stories, essays and images produced by residents of the Catskill region.
Lisa Rainwater, Catskill Center executive director, said there are plans to produce a book every year.
"These mountains have an amazing wealth of talent," Rainwater said Friday. "We want to highlight these great artists so that perhaps they will move forward and get a big book deal."
Rainwater said working with the artists and writers has been "such a joy. It was the highlight of my first year (at the Catskill Center.)
"The Catskills Poetry Festival is a celebration of our artistic heritage and our talented present," Rainwater continued.
The first reading is from 1 to 3 p.m. and includes readings by Will Nixon of Woodstock, author of "My Late Mother as a Ruffed Grouse"; Matthew J. Spireng of Lomontville, author of "Young Farmer"; Philip Pardi of Phoenicia, author of "Meditations on Rising and Falling"; Susan Deer Cloud, Métis Native writer and author of "The Last Ceremony"; and Eddie Bell of New Paltz, author of "Eeny Meeny Miney Mo / Time to Lynch a Negro."
The reading will be followed by a musical performance by Princes of Serendip.
The second reading from 3 to 5 p.m. includes readings by Writers in the Mountains poets Lynn Domina of Delhi, author of "Corporal Works"; Bethany Saltman of Phoenicia; and Andes poet Tom Lavazzi, who has written three volumes of poetry, including his most recent, "LightsOut."
James Krueger will perform following the second reading session. His music, presenters said, deals with nature, the environment and Catskill Mountain history and lore, offering audiences an energetic session of beautiful songs, compelling poetry and fun stories.
Poetry Fest Lunch-To-Go specials will be offered by restaurants including The Cheese Barrel and The Flour Patch in Margaretville and Ayla's in Arkville.
