The Skagit River Poetry Foundation invites our community to a galaxy far, far away and presents an evening fit for a Jedi at their annual auction, A New Hope: “May the 4th” (Force) Be With You from 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, May 4 (Star Wars Day), at Hillcrest Park Lodge in Mount Vernon.

This “Star Wars”-themed extravaganza will appeal to young and old alike as they take a trip through the Foundation’s history and share their mission of supporting literacy through poetry. The featured event will be the live and silent auction where attendees will bid on a wide range of auction items to raise funds for the organization.

For example, bid to meet Dublin poet Tony Curtis at a five-course dinner on the picturesque Swinomish Channel in La Conner. Other auction items include I Sing the Salmon Home kayak trip, VIP tickets to the Skagit River Poetry Festival, and a Star Wars Mania Treasure Box full of an assortment of items sure to please the most dedicated “Star Wars” fan, among many more.

This otherworldly event will include a delicious Dark Side Dessert Dash, Raise-Your-Lightsaber for Kids, “Be the New Hope” Photo Booth with costumes and props, and games to test your Star Wars trivia knowledge. Hearty appetizers will be provided by Simply Sound Catering from Josh Van Hine and themed drinks (sans alcohol, too) will be found at their Star Wars inspired Mos Eisley bar.

The Skagit River Poetry Foundation (SRPF), a non-profit, has placed professional poets in area classrooms to help build literacy skills among K-14 students since 1998. The SRPF brings poetic voices to rural and urban communities that reflect diverse multi-ethnic and multi-generational populations, viewpoints, and history. When you support the Skagit River Poetry Foundation you support student learning and community enrichment as they collaborate with poets from around the nation to bring poetry into area classrooms every school year and into

the local community as they host the Skagit River Poetry Festival, which is held every other year in La Conner, WA. The Festival will occur this year in early October.

Join the party on May 4th and give so they may continue their Jedi mission of engaging the community through the power of poetic expression. Costumes are optional, but if guests attend in a Star Wars inspired costume they’ll be entered into a drawing to win a prize! May the Force of Poetry Be With You.

Early Bird Tickets before April 15: Individual $40, Couple $70

Regular Tickets after April 15: Individual $ 50, Couple $90

Buy your tickets today at: http://tinyurl.com/SkagitPoetryAuctionTix2024

For more information, visit the Skagit River Poetry Foundation: https://skagitriverpoetry.org

If you’re unable to attend the event, you may donate to the organization year around at: SkagitRiverPoetry.org/Donate

Cora Thomas is the Foundation’s executive assistant and poets in schools coordinator.