# Event Details

- **Event Name**: The Madison Bly Fest 2025: Poetry on the Prairie
- **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 17 Oct, 2025 at 06:00 pm – Sat, 18 Oct, 2025 at 08:00 pm
- **Event Description**: Join us in Madison as we honor the life and work of poet Robert Bly and celebrate the rich literary history of rural western Minnesota. All events are free and open to the public—but RSVP via brendan.stermer@gmail.com
 by October 10 to receive a free Bly book at the event!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17
6–8 PM | Opening Reception in the Bly Study
Lac qui Parle County Museum, 250 8th Ave
Step into the historic study where Bly wrote Silence in the Snowy Fields and other classics. Enjoy refreshments, conversation, and local music in this inspiring space.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18
10 AM–12 PM | Poetry Workshop with Athena Kildegaard
Madison Mercantile
Engage creatively with Bly’s poetry alongside award-winning author and UMN-Morris assistant professor Athena Kildegaard. Open to writers of all skill levels.

1–2:30 PM | Film Screening: “Robert Bly: A Thousand Years of Joy”
Grand Theatre, 310 6th Ave
Discover Bly’s life and work through this captivating 2015 documentary by Haydn Reiss.

3–3:45 PM | Author Talk: Mark Gustafson
Madison Mercantile, 601 1st St
Hear from Bly biographer Mark Gustafson about Bly’s relationship to Madison and his efforts to bridge the rural-urban divide.

4–4:45 PM | Panel Discussion: Bly’s Rural Roots
Madison Mercantile
Mark Gustafson, Athena Kildegaard, and Bridget Bly explore Bly as a rural writer and what his work means to today’s prairie poets. Moderated by Brendan Stermer.

5–6 PM | Community Meal
Madison Mercantile
Break bread with fellow poetry lovers in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

6–8 PM | Poetry Reading & Open Mic
Madison Mercantile
Share a Bly memory, a favorite poem, or an original work. Evening begins with readings by Athena Kildegaard and Brendan Stermer.

All Weekend:

Explore the Franz Richter exhibit at Madison Mercantile, featuring illustrations from Bly’s Old Man Rubbing His Eyes.

Find quiet inspiration in the Bly Writing Room at Madison Mercantile.

Take a self-guided tour of the Bly Study at Lac qui Parle County Museum.

✨ Celebrate poetry, community, and the enduring voice of Robert Bly on the prairie.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/madison/the-madison-bly-fest-2025-poetry-on-the-prairie/200028767476956
- **Event Categories**: art, literary-art, festivals, entertainment, open-mic, business, workshops, theatre
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 136

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Madison
- **state**: MN
- **country**: United States
- **location**: 601 1st Street, 56256
- **lat**: 45.00864
- **long**: -96.17692
- **full address**: 601 1st Street, 56256, 601 1st St E, Madison, MN 56256, United States

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: The Madison Bly Fest 2025: Poetry on the Prairie
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/10161705c6c4ede54cf19aad7559c8b718029e058dc5315d24673bcaf43d0398-rimg-w1200-h675-dc363737-gmir?v=1760712769

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is The Madison Bly Fest 2025: Poetry on the Prairie being held?
  - **A:** The Madison Bly Fest 2025: Poetry on the Prairie takes place on Fri, 17 Oct, 2025 at 06:00 pm to Sat, 18 Oct, 2025 at 08:00 pm at 601 1st Street, 56256, 601 1st St E, Madison, MN 56256, United States.
- **Q**: Who is organizing The Madison Bly Fest 2025: Poetry on the Prairie?
  - **A:** The Madison Bly Fest 2025: Poetry on the Prairie is organized by Madison Mercantile.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** The Madison Bly Fest 2025: Poetry on the Prairie is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Madison, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. With 130+ people already showing interest, this is clearly an event worth adding to your calendar - don't miss out.

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