Watch out for Picnic on Poetry caravan and unveiling

Cobourg Library. File photo

By Cecilia Nasmith, Northumberland 89.7 FM News

Cobourg

An unusual poetry project will be unveiled in Victoria Park April 25

Cobourg council is looking forward to an April 25 event in Victoria Park, the Picnic on Poetry grand unveiling.

This will be the occasion when the 10 picnic tables Wally Keeler's group were given upon which to etch poetry will be debuted.

“This poetry comes from points throughout Cobourg, Northumberland County and also beyond,” he said at the March council meeting.

Keeler spent some time explaining the process that has brought the tables to readiness, including help from local supporters such as retired Ontario Superior Court Judge James Clarke and Blue Denim Press owner Shane Joseph.

The only similar project, he added, is six tables done by the US poet laureate for their national forests.

The event also includes a procession – which Keeler characterized as a caravan – to transport the tables from where they are being worked on at the Cobourg Public Library to a spot in front of the Victoria Park bandshell.

They will be loaded up at 5 p.m., and covered with tapestries in preparation for the unveiling festivities at 6 p.m.

Keeler said they hope to make this an annual event, the previous year's tables dispersed to other parks around town in order that a Victoria Park unveiling can be anticipated.

Council voted to receive Keeler's presentation for information purposes, and to refer the project to the 2026 budget for consideration.