This summer readers from near and far will have the opportunity to meet and listen to some of Canada’s most celebrated writers in an informal and friendly village setting.

The Port Medway Readers' Festival, which will take place in July and August, promises to be the “must attend” event of the season for anyone who has ever been transformed by the power of the written word.

Founded in 2002 by Cynthia Wine and Philip Slayton, the Port Medway Readers' Festival follows the tradition of the Tennysonian Reading Circle, which was started by the ladies of Port Medway in 1903.

Donna Morrissey, celebrated author, expressed enthusiasm on behalf of the local literary community. “Hooray! One of my favourite readers’ festivals is back on track. Here’s to many more full-houses and many many more evenings of socializing and the finest of literary entertainment.”

This summer, the Port Medway Readers' Festival offers an impressive roster of authors, Philip Slayton, author of Lawyers Gone Bad: July 12, Bernice Morgan, Best-selling Newfoundland author: July 26, George Elliott Clarke, Nova Scotia poet and playwright: August 9.

Slayton, Morgan and Elliott Clarke will join the ranks of an elite group of past participants including William Weintraub, Donna Morrissey, Calvin Trillin, Jane Urquhart, Robert MacNeil, Marq de Villiers, Sheila Hirtle, Howard Norman, Wayne Johnston, Lisa Moore, Margaret Atwood, Graeme Gibson, William Kowalski, and Joan Clark.

All readings will take place 7:00 p.m. in The Old Meeting House (circa, 1832) of Port Medway.

A party will take place after each Saturday evening reading in the fire hall. Tickets cost $12 for any Saturday evening reading and include the fire hall party.

This year's proceeds will support the Port Medway Cemeteries Committee for work at the Old Port Medway Cemetery, a Municipal Heritage Property.

A festival sponsorship, acknowledged in the Festival Program, is available for a minimum gift of $150 and carries with it two tickets to each reading.

Tickets for the festival are available at the following locations: Sagor's Book Store 686 King Street, Bridgewater (Books by Festival authors may be purchased at Sagor's, and will also be available at the readings.)

Thomas H. Raddall Library in Liverpool, Bridgewater Library 547 King Street, Bridgewater, Lunenburg Library 19 Pelham Street, Lunenburg and Mobile Libraries at their 61 stops in Queens & Lunenburg Counties.

For more information visit www.portmedwayreadersfestival.com.