Salem Lit Fest March 27 – 29, 2009

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE March 27 – 29, 2009

Fun, Games and Hawthorne
By Beth Doiron

Whether reading, writing, rhyming or acting, if words are your thing then the Salem Literature Festival is for you. And since spending wisely is a priority… many free activities await you.

If you have ever been to Salem, if you are somewhat observant about New England history, or if you love literature, there is one thing other than witches and water that Salem loves to talk about. To quote a Haunted Footstep tour guide – Salem is home to “our favorite American author, Nathaniel Hawthorne.” While this claim is grand, Salem is not shy to other literary experiences. Something about the harbor and the history attracts people. I don’t know about you, but I sometimes find myself reading a fiction story seemingly inspired by Salem – try Salem Falls by Jody Picoult.

Wondering what happens at a Lit Fest? You can expect plays, spoken word, writing workshops and readings. But how about the unexpected – check out the scrabble tournament at the Salem Athenaeum. In addition to Salem Lit Fest events this local resident has some other suggestions for celebrating literate Salem:
• Go to the new JAHO coffee store. After you get over the excitement of watching water siphoned from a glass bubble, sit back and read.
• Go to the Public Library. Sometimes I just like to stand in front of it and look at it, but feel free to go inside.
• Go to the House of the Seven Gables. If you haven’t already done it – now is the time. The hidden passage is worth it.
• At the House of the Seven Gables gift shop, for the literary friend who has everything, consider a Scarlet Letter t-shirt.
• Gather with friends/family to watch Word Wars, the scrabble documentary.