The Petaluma Poetry Walk is a free, day-long celebration of live poetry readings that brings together poets and community members in the heart of downtown Petaluma.
Taking place on Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the event features 24 poets sharing their work across eight local venues. Come for one reading, two readings, or stay for them all—the public is warmly invited to experience the power of poetry in any way that fits.
Founded in 1996 by the late Geri Digiorno, a beloved poet and former Sonoma County Poet Laureate, the Poetry Walk continues her vision of making poetry accessible, vibrant, and rooted in community.
The Petaluma Poetry Walk has hosted many notable poets during the years, including Diane di Prima—a female voice in the Beat poetry movement. Also featured have been multiple Poets Laureate from California, Sonoma and Marin Counties and beyond, award-winning poets of all ages, and emerging poets.
The event typically takes place on the third Sunday of September and is a day-long “movable feast,” where participants walk to different locations to enjoy a variety of poetic performances. It has become a cherished tradition in Petaluma, reflecting the city’s rich cultural and literary heritage.
Petaluma Poetry Walk Director
Kary Hess, MFA is a writer, artist, and producer. She’s the author of 1912: Poems of Time, Place & Memory (FMRL 2023), the forthcoming Trees Are For Outlaws (FMRL 2026) and the SparkTarot® Deck + Guidebook. She writes about art and culture for the North Bay Bohemian, Marin Pacific Sun, North Bay Magazine, and is the editor of two magazines, The Walk and Made Local Magazine, Sonoma Co. karyhess.com
Photo by Jim Johnson
Poetry Walk Director Emeritus and Mentor
Bill Vartnaw, Sonoma County Poet Laureate Emeritus (2012-13) was director of the Petaluma Poetry Walk for over a decade, working with and following founder Geri Digiorno. He’s publisher of Taurean Horn Press, and the author of two books: In Concern: for Angels (Taurean Horn Press), and Suburbs of my Childhood (Beatitude Press).
Petaluma Poetry Walk Founder
Geri Digiorno is the author of multiple poetry books including White Lipstick (Red Hen Press) and I’m Tap Dancing. She founded the Petaluma Poetry Walk in 1996 and directed it for many years.
Volunteers, Supporters, and Photographers
We produce the Petaluma Poetry Walk with the generous support of volunteers and donors!
Thank you to our 2025 volunteers: Dave Seter, Brian Martens, Ingrid Keir, Lisa Schulman, Vaughan Fielder, Bridget Reymond, Terry Ehret, Daedalus Howell, and John Johnson.
Special thanks to our supporters: Ethical Clothing, Jupiter Foods, Pennyroyal, Über Optics, Sonoma Spice Queen, Howard Formby Landscape Design, Herb Folk, The Sitting Room, Karen Petersen, Hotel Petaluma, Keller Street CoWork, The Phoenix Theater, The Big Easy, Copperfield’s Books, Usher Gallery, Petaluma Historical Library & Museum, Aqus Café, Jen Redfearn, Irma Haigwood, Norma Cathala, Tom Gaffey, Roger Tschann, Kathryn Potts, Rachel Usher, Stacey Atchley, Liz Cohee, Jim Cohee, John Crowley, Lesley McCullaugh, Nichole Warwick, Blue Zones, Tall Toad Music, Jonathan Hunt, all the participating poets, and all our Substack subscribers.
Special thanks to photographers: Debbie Wilson, Michael Woolsey, Jim Johnson, and Scott Hess. Cover image: “The Elephant Dreams Of Flying” is by Ellen Kombiyil.