Ohio Poetry Day Association

"In 1938, the State of Ohio set the third Friday of every October as Ohio Poetry Day. This was the first poetry day established by a state government in the United States. Tessa Sweazy Webb spent thirteen months lobbying the Ohio General Assembly to create Ohio Poetry Day. She argued, 'For each living reader a living poet, for each living poet a living reader.' After Ohio approved Webb's idea, other states adopted a day dedicated to poetry as well." - Quotation from Ohio History Central

Sunday, August 30, 2026

October 16th: Ohio Poetry Day Kickoff Meet & Greet

This year's Ohio Poetry Day celebration will take place October 16th and 17th in Toledo.

The Friday night kickoff meet and greet will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on the 16th at Handmade Toledo, 1717 Adams Street.

Info on Saturday the 17th's events will be coming in our next post.