YOUR GUIDE TO DOWNTOWN POETRY 2026

Welcome to the official 2026 Downtown Poetry Event Guide!

Discover all the exciting stroll stops and plan your literary journey through our vibrant two-block celebration.

Businesses along Kiesel Ave. from 22nd to 24th Street will host poems, writing prompts, activities, promotions and workshops from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 11th. Businesses who are participating in Downtown Poetry will have an indicator on their door or window that they are a stop. 

FEATURED STOPS

Local Artisan Collective

12 p.m. to 5 p.m.:

  • Create poetry with chalk in front of the store
  • Poetry Book Release from Elizabeth Suggs. Stop by to get an autographed copy!
  • KC, from Seeds of Imagination, will teach you how to use creative prompt cards designed to help generate ideas and overcome the blank page. Learn simple ways to turn a few words or phrases into poetry. Perfect for beginners and experienced writers alike. Discover new ways to start writing.

Poetry Workshops at Local Artisan Collective
12:00: The Weight of a Poem, taught by Audrey Christensen from Hey Be Fab
1:15: Celebrating Earth Day with Poetry, taught by Roxanne Vigos, from Star and Branch, and Stephanie Howerton, from Our Children's Earth.
2:15: Speaking Metaphorically taught by Shane Nelson.
3:30: Manuscript, Submit, Publish, taught by Kase Johnston from Utah Humanities.

The Treehouse Children's Museum

Children’s Poetry Activities

• Meet Mascot Characters from Children's Book at 11:00am, 12:00pm and 1:00pm
• Rhyme Time Chalk Castle (weather permitting)
• Poem in Your Pocket
• Catch-a-Rhyme Fishing Game
• Make a Rhyming Book in the Art Garden

The Hilton Garden Inn

  • Indoor Poetry Display

Glam by Gillian/ Image Salon

SPECIAL PROMOTION
• $25 Blowout (must book by April 11th)

Contact to book:

801-657-1956 

The Cupcake Shoppe

  • Stop by and get a prize

Honey and Lime

  • Stop by and get a prize

Wing Nutz

SPECIAL PROMOTION
• $1 Bone in Wings
• Free Chips and Salsa

Laan Thai

• Stop by and get a prize

Sonora Grill

• Latin American Poetry Display

Skinny Dogz

SPECIAL PROMOTION
• A free swipe at the Candy Crane.
• A free sticker

Therapeutix

SPECIAL PROMOTION
• 10% off any service scheduled on April 11th.
• Stop by and get a prize

Greek Garden II

• Greek Poets Display

IFLY Utah

• Paper Airplane Poems

Vamos Health

SPECIAL PROMOTION
• FREE Blood Pressure, Oxygen, and Glucose tests
• Stop by to get a prize

 

ADDITIONAL POETRY-READING STOPS:

The Megaplex

Costa Vida

Bassett Salon Solutions