The Petaluma Poetry Walk is an annual poetry festival, founded in September 1996 by the late poet Geri Digiorno. It features over two dozen poets reading their works at eight venues.
The event has grown over the years, attracting notable poets and a diverse audience and includes readings in both English and Spanish.
During this day-long “movable feast,” 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.
Schedule of Events
September 15, 2025
28th Annual Petaluma Poetry Walk
16 RiverS Press Poets
11am | Hotel Petaluma
Upstairs Ballroom
(Note: There is a staircase to this venue, and no elevator.)
205 Kentucky Street
Petaluma
Christina Lloyd
Alice Templeton
Murray Silverstein
with Event Presenter Terry Ehret
Photo by Scott Hess
The Trio Poets
12 noon | The Petaluma Cheese Shop Tasting Room
112 Washington Street
Petaluma
Emily Schulten: Raleigh Review‘s Geri Digiorno Prize Winner
Lynn Watson
Gene Berson
with Event Presenter and PPW Co-producer, Bill Vartnaw
Photo courtesy of Petaluma Cheese Shop
The Sonoma Writers’ Workshop Poets
1pm | Keller Street CoWork
Main Lounge
140 Keller Street
Petaluma
Jonah Raskin
Lisa Summers
Stacey Tuel
and Steve Shain on Standup Bass
With Event Presenter Daedalus Howell
Photo courtesy of Keller Street Cowork
The Performance Poets
2pm | The Phoenix Theater
201 Washington Street
Petaluma
Avotcja
Maxine Flasher-Düzgüneş
Nancy Miller Gomez
Event Presenter Elizabeth Herron
Photo by Kary Hess
The Poets Laureate
3pm | Copperfield’s Books
140 Kentucky Street
Petaluma
Lee Herrick
California Poet Laureate
Genny Lim
Former San Francisco Jazz Poet Laureate
With Event Presenter Iris Jamahl Dunkle
Photo by Kary Hess
The Marin Poetry Center Poets
4pm | Usher Gallery
1 Petaluma Boulevard North
Petaluma
With Event Presenter: Francesca Bell
Photo by Kary Hess
The Library Poets
5pm | The Petaluma Historical Library and Museum
20 4th Street
Petaluma
Georgina Marie Guardado
Jodi Hottel
Elizabeth Jiménez Montelongo
With Event Presenters: Sabine Wolpert, Lisa Zheng, and John Johnson
Photo by Scott Hess
The Grande Finale
6-8pm | Aqus Café
189 H Street
Petaluma
Emilie Lygren
Kirk Lumpkin
Chris Olander
Lin Marie deVincent
Fran Carbonaro
Dave Seter Sonoma County’s NEW Poet Laureate
Event Presenter Gwynn O’Gara
Photo courtesy of Aqus Café
Support poetry and literacy in Sonoma County by clicking here and pledging a few dollars to the Poetry Walk's 2024 Kickstarter.
Comments