18th Annual Poetry Contest 2008

Sponsored by the Friends of the Talbot County Free Library with The Historical Society of Talbot County

Awards will be presented at the Historical Society Auditorium, 17 S. Washington Street, Easton at 1:00 pm Saturday, April 5, 2008. Winners will read their poems. Booklets printed with the winners' poems will be distributed at the awards ceremony.

Poem Categories are General and Historical. Contestants may enter one or more poems in each category. Entrants are encouraged to consider the Chesapeake Bay area as a topic.

Eligibility: Only residents of Talbot County and non-resident students enrolled in Talbot County public and private schools are eligible to enter the contest.

General Poem Category: Poems in this category may be on any topic. Entries will be judged in the following divisions:

  1. Students in grades three through five
  2. Students in grades six though eight
  3. Students in grades nine though twelve
  4. Adults

General Category Awards: Awards in each category are as follows:

  1. Students in grades three through five: three Winners will each receive a certificate, a $50 Savings Bond and $25 in cash; two Honorable Mentions will each receive a certificate.
  2. Students in grades six through eight: threeWinners will each receive a certificate and $75 in cash; two Honorable Mentions will each receive a certificate.
  3. Students in grades nine through twelve: threeWinners will each receive a certificate and $75 cash; two Honorable Mentions will each receive a certificate.
  4. Adults: three Winners will each receive a certificate and $75 in Cash; two Honorable mentions will each receive a certificate.

Historical Poem Category: Poems in this category should be about a historical person, event, or time period. Entries will be judged in the following divisions:

  1. Persons less than 16 years old.
  2. Persons 16 years or older.

Historical Category Awards: Awards in this category are as follows:

  1. Persons less than 16 years old: oneWinner will receive a prize basket; one Honorable Mention will receive a certificate.
  2. Persons 16 years or older: oneWinner will receive a certificate and a prize basket; one Honorable Mention will receive a certificate.

Entry Requirements: Contestants may submit one or two original, unpublished poems in each category; no artwork may accompany a poem. Submit four copies of each poem: the first copy must include the contest category, the entrant.s name, address and telephone number, and, if applicable, the school and grade level. The other three, to be used in judging, must contain no identifying information other than the title of the poem and the contest category. Questions? Call the library: 410-822-1626.

Deadline For Submissions: All entries must be delivered or postmarked by March 7, 2008. Entries may be delivered to the Easton or St. Michaels Branch of the Talbot County Free Library or may be mailed to:

2008 Poetry Contest
Friends of the Talbot County Free Library
100 West Dover Street
Easton, MD 21601