After a successful virtual event for the Saskatchewan Festival of Words this past July, the team of organizers are already making plans to return to the in-person iteration of the popular literary festival.
Through social media, the Festival of Words shared some of the ways they are approaching plans for this year’s event, to hopefully host sessions in a pandemic-safe way.
The three potential venues for the upcoming festival are
- the open-air Crescent Park Amphitheatre, for reading sessions and kids activities as well as the Teen Read Out;
- the Mae Wilson Theatre, for panels, interviews and the entertainment events like the concert and poetry slam competition;
- the Library and Art Museum Theatre, for larger reading sessions.
The Festival also plans on streaming all of the events hosted at the Mae Wilson online, for added accessibility.
All venues will follow some strict rules, including proper social distancing between guests and repeated sanitation after every event.
Sessions will be limited to one hour, to eliminate the need for intermissions or breaks and limit people from moving around in the spaces too much. There will also be no paper materials handed out during sessions, to limit contact.
Capacity at the festival sessions will also be different this year, with only a limited number of festival passes available and no walk-in availability at any sessions — which means anyone interested in attending the festival will have to purchase a pass and register for their sessions in advance.
It will also depend on how many guests are attending in groups within their social bubble, versus individually.
Organizers can’t say just yet how many passes will be available this year, as capacity limitations will depend on the public health restrictions in place closer to July.
Of course, all of the plans taking shape could be pushed aside if the situation in the province changes drastically, said organizers.
Safety is a top concern once again this year, and the festival is also preparing to switch to a virtual platform again if necessary. That decision will be made in April, if needed.
With the beginning of their plan laid out, organizers are welcoming guests to weigh in on the precautions currently being considered through an online survey, or by contacting the Festival office at admin@festivalfowords.com or at 1 (306) 691-0557.
