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Saginaw Valley State University

February 24, 2026

Theodore Roethke Poetry & Arts Festival set for March 20-25

Theodore Roethke Poetry & Arts Festival

A slate of poetry readings, musical performances and arts events will take place across Saginaw March 20-25 as Saginaw Valley State University presents the Theodore Roethke Poetry & Arts Festival, a triennial tribute to Saginaw’s Pulitzer Prize–winning poet. 

“We’re delighted to host the Triennial Festival with a full range of activities celebrating the arts in our area and promoting the work of Theodore Roethke, Saginaw’s native son,” said Carlos Ramet, Associate Dean of SVSU’s College of Arts & Behavioral Sciences and coordinator and co-chair of the 2026 Festival.

While the centerpiece of the festival is the Theodore Roethke Memorial Poetry Prize ceremony honoring LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs, winner of the 2025 Roethke Memorial Prize for Poetry, SVSU is partnering with local businesses and organizations to offer a rich lineup of events.

All events listed below are free of charge and open to the public. 

  • A poetry slam will take place Friday, March 20, from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at the Whittaker Lecture Theatre on the campus of SVSU (Brown Hall 106). This poetry slam is open to adults, college students and high school students. Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners. Live music by the SVSU Jazz Combo and refreshments will round out the evening.
  • Tours of the Roethke House will be held Saturday, March 21, from 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at the Theodore Roethke Home Museum, 1805 Gratiot in Saginaw. A guided tour will take attendees through the childhood home of Theodore Roethke. Then, from 2:00 p.m.- 3:30 p.m., the River Junction Poets will read some of their original work and discuss the influence Roethke had on the region’s longest-standing poetry group.
  • The Ted (Roethke) Talk and Brew will take place on Sunday, March 22, from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Oracle Brewing, 122 N. Michigan Avenue in Saginaw. Local author Jeff Vande Zande will speak on “Theodore Roethke and the Making of an American Poet.” Three special craft beers related to Roethke’s poems will be available for purchase.
  • A Tribute to Roethke Musical Concert will take place on Monday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 121 S. Harrison in Saginaw, featuring acclaimed soloist and Saginaw native Emily Marvosh, an original composition by Michigan resident Collin Whitfield, and performances by the SVSU Cardinal Singers. The concert is supported by a Saginaw Community Foundation grant.
  • The Theodore Roethke Memorial Poetry Prize ceremony will be held Tuesday, March 24, at 7:00 p.m. in SVSU’s Rhea Miller Recital Hall. The national prize has been awarded since 1968. Recipient LaTasha N. Nevada Diggs will read selections from her award-winning poetry collection, “Village,” and sign books following the event.

The Theodore Roethke Poetry & Arts Festival celebrates the life and legacy of one of Michigan’s most recognized poets. Roethke won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1954 and is widely known for his work exploring nature, identity and personal experience.

For more information about the Roethke Festival or any of the events listed here, visit www.svsu.edu/roethke or contact Carlos Ramet (ramet@svsu.edu; 989-964-4062).