It’s nearly time for Woodland Pattern’s 26th Annual Poetry Marathon and Benefit! We hope that you’ll consider joining the hundreds of poets, writers, and community members who set up camp at the book center for this day-long celebration of poetry and performance in Milwaukee and beyond. The marathon has become an important cultural tradition not only for Woodland Pattern but for Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood and for writers from around the Great Lakes region.

The Poetry Marathon is a community fundraiser where readers find sponsors to pledge a minimum total of $40 to Woodland Pattern on their behalf. As a reader the pledge minimum is not meant as an entry fee that you pay, but rather as a fundraising goal to be met by asking friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and others to contribute.

If you’ve never participated in a fundraiser before, don’t worry. We have lots of tips and strategies to help you meet or even exceed your $40 minimum goal! The three readers who raise the most in pledges will receive special prizes ($100, $50, and $25 gift certificates to Woodland Pattern, plus a limited-edition Woodland Pattern T-shirt and tote).

All pledges raised by readers will be matched by a major sponsor for each hour of the marathon. Together these funds will provide vital support for over 300 arts and educational programs in 2020.

Reader registration opens on Sunday, December 1st! We’re so excited for you to share your writing, and greatly appreciate your support.

How to sign up as a reader: For additional information or to sign up as a reader, call us at 414-263-5001 or stop by the book center at 720 E. Locust St. in Riverwest. Deadline for reader sign-up is Friday, January 17th.

Underwriting Opportunities: Each hour of the marathon is matched by a major sponsor. To underwrite an hour of the Marathon, contact Literary Program Director Michael Wendt at michaelw@woodlandpattern.org, or call the center’s main line.

Sponsor a reader: If you’d like to help readers raise funds, consider a “Pledge a Reader” donation. Money received through these donations will go directly to a poet who is unable to meet the $40 minimum pledge goal. This is a great way to support Woodland Pattern AND a local artist—win-win!

$10 all day access, free entry for readers, and for those who pledge a reader for $40 or more