Essay, Poetry and Story Contests for Young Authors
Waukesha, – The Southeast Wisconsin Festival of Books is once again hosting two writing contests for middle school and high school authors—The Century Fence Essay and Poetry Contest and the Duane Stein Short Story Contest. These popular contests have been a feature of the Festival for several years have and attracts entries from throughout the region.
The Century Fence Essay and Poetry Contest’ theme for this year focuses on the timely topic of book banning. The contest is open to high school and middle school students in Waukesha County. High School students are asked to present an essay of 600-750 words or poem of up to 750 words and Middle schoolers essays are to be 400-500 words and poems up to 500 words. The essays and poems should express how the student feels about book banning (in favor, against, or somewhere in between) and if such a ban has ever affected them personally. Winners will share in $1,000 in prizes.
Contest winners in Essay & Poetry will receive a prize of $250 while second and third-place winners will receive $175 and $75. All will be recognized at the Festival’s opening festivities on Friday, November 4. The Duane Stein Short Story Contest, sponsored by Mars Construction Company of San Diego, encourages students to explore their passion for fiction by offering any student in the state of Wisconsin under 19 years of age the opportunity to submit an original short story of up to 2,500 words. The stories will be judged by former students of Mr. Stein’s and the winner will receive $2,000, with the second and third place receiving $1,000 and $500 respectively. The winners will also be recognized at the Festival’s opening event on November 4.
To enter, students can submit their essay and poetry work to the Festival at: 2022 Century Fence Student Essay & Poetry Contest
UWM at Waukesha Foundation, Inc.
1500 N. University Dr.
Waukesha, WI 53188
Or via email at: info@sewibookfest.com.
Holiday Folk Fair International Announces 2022 Theme and Featured Food
MILWAUKEE, WIS. – Representatives of the 79th annual Holiday Folk Fair International, America’s premiere multi-cultural festival to be held Fri., Nov. 18 – Sun., Nov. 20, 2022, at the State Fair Park Exposition Center in West Allis, Wis., announced the event’s 2022 theme – “Celebrate the Culture of Living Heritage.”
Living heritage encompasses traditions, customs, practices, representations, expressions, knowledge, and skills. It also represents the instruments, objects, artifacts, and cultural spaces that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage.
The living heritage includes the stories told, the family events celebrated, the languages spoken, the songs and dances performed, the foods prepared and eaten, the games played, and the plants cultivated. “Diversity is our strength, a tapestry rich in heritage and tradition,” Durtka said. In addition, the event will also have a featured food – Bread. “Throughout history and around the world, bread has played an important part of many cultures. It is one of the oldest human-made foods and plays an essential role in both religious rituals and secular culture,” Durtka said.
The three-day event features the All Nations Theater with traditional music and dance; the World Hours will be 2 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Fri., Nov. 18; 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. on Sat., Nov. 19; and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 20.
Advance tickets, which will be available for purchase at the Folk Fair website beginning Thursday, September 15, are $12 each, with family four-packs for $44. Admission at the gate will be $16 for adults; $8 for children ages 6 to 12; with children under the age of five admitted at no charge. Those 62 and over will be admitted for $12, and all military personnel with a military ID card will be admitted free.
For more information on the 2022 Holiday Folk Fair International, visit www.folkfair.org or call 414-225-6225.
