Seattle Maritime Festival Adds Poetry Contest to 2000 Lineup

Prizes at Stake in May 11 Event at the Highliner Tavern at Fishermen's Terminal

Generations of men and women have made a living from the sea, experiencing its power, beauty and danger. To celebrate their stories of the sea, the Seattle Maritime Festival has added a maritime poetry slam to this year's lineup of events.

In addition to the dozens of free activities scheduled every year, including the world's biggest tugboat races, the open mike-styled contest for poets and performance artists is set for Thursday, May 11 from 8-10 p.m. at the Highliner Tavern at Fishermen's Terminal, south of the Ballard Bridge and west of 15th Avenue West in Seattle.

Each entrant will have 10 minutes to impress a panel of local journalists with original poetry, performance art, or stories inspired by the sea. Cash prizes will be awarded: $300 for first place, $200 for second, and $100 for third. The winning efforts will also be posted on the Port of Seattle's web page, and announced at the festival.

There are a few time slots remaining for poets in this year's contest. For more information on the maritime poetry reading contest, call Bruce Wynn, Port of Seattle, (206) 728-3410, or via e-mail at wynn.b@portseattle.org.

The Seattle Maritime Festival is sponsored by the Seattle Chapter of the Propeller Club of the United States and the Port of Seattle.