5th ANNUAL
ONE WORD POETRY FESTIVAL
WHEN
MAY 29 - May 31, 2025
WHERE
DOWNTOWN ROCK HILL, SC
The One Word Poetry Festival is an in-person poetry festival, founded in 2021, to share the Power of Poetry and celebrate the countless ways poetry positively impacts our lives.
Pass the Torch Ceremony
Thursday, May 29th
7 p.m
Center for the Arts
Join us as we kick off the festival by honoring Rock HIll’s new Poet Laureate Carlo Dawson! The event will include refreshments, presentations and a reading by Carlo.
Free Entry
Celebrate our Poet Laureate
Support the Artists
Support Your Writing
Join a Free Poetry Workshop
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Youth Poetry Workshop: Blackout Poetry
Saturday, June 1
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Arts Council of York County
In the GalleryLearn how to make poems by marking and blacking out words from newspapers, books and magazines. Sure to be a lot of fun and a little messy! Led by Rock Hill Youth Poet Laureate Abigail McCluney.
Kids age 5-12. Parents welcome.
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Synesthesia and the Art of Imagery
Saturday, June 1
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Arts Council of York County
In the Lewandowski ClassroomIn this workshop, led by Ayanna Florence, the Women of the World Poetry Champion, participants will explore using synesthesia - experiencing one of your senses through another - to enhance imagery in poetry.
This workshop is appropriate for teens & adults.
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Youth Poetry Workshop: The Game of the Story
Saturday, June 1
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Arts Council of York County
In the GalleryJoin Charleston children’s librarian, Melanie Clark, for a series of activities that emphasize the fun at the core of creative writing! We'll talk about character creation, plot elements, and how embracing the unusual can make stories truly unique.
Kids age 5-12. Parents welcome.
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Refresh! Finding the Unexpected
Saturday, June 1
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Arts Council of York County
In the Lewandowski ClassroomJoin Charlotte Poet Laureate and One Work Keynote Speaker, Jay Ward, to give yourself (and your writing) a much needed refresh. Learn a new language and discover a new way to immerse yourself into at poem, wind through its maze and feel that exhilarating rush when you finally emerge on the other end.
Age 13+. All levels welcome.
Support One Word
There would be no festival if it were not for our amazing sponsors and generous community partners. And in keeping in line with our dedication to inclusivity and accessibility, there are options for every budget!
Become a sponsor for this year’s festival.
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Haiku $250
Organization name in announcements, festival brochure, press release, and at least one social media tag. Logo on website.
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Stanza $500
All Haiku sponsor benefits + logo in festival brochure and vendor table at one event of your choice.
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Prose $1,000
All Stanza sponsor benefits + priority placement, named sponsor of one event of your choice, vendor table at 2 events & stage shout-outs daily.
2 Free Festival Passes -
Epic $5,000
Be the Official Sponsor of the Entire Festival. Your organization’s name, logo, & branding will be displayed prominently in all marketing materials and at festival events. .
6 Free Festival Passe
Our Sponsors
Festival Planning Team
Dr. Joya Holmes
Community Service
Abbie Townson
Public Outreach
Angelo Geter
Festival Founder & Director
Poet Laureate of Rock Hill
Dr. Ephraim Sommers
Educational Activities
LaKay Cornell
Communications & Design
Join us for this FREE immersive outdoor open mic experience that has become one of Rock Hill’s signature events! This year’s event will feature live music from Rock Hill’s own R&B band Mellogroove, a live painting, food truck, and beverages from Main Street Bottle Shop.
If you’d like to perform, sign up at the check-in table once you arrive.
Friday, May 31st | Gettys Center parking lot
Sign up begins at 6:30pm. Show starts at 7pm
Rain location: Gettys Center Courtroom