Haldimand County Public Library invites the community to get creative and participate in its 12th Annual April Poetry Contest. 

This year's theme is "Family." Submitted poems should explore the importance of family, what family means to the writer, or a specific aspect of family life, such as love, birth, or loss. To showcase the diverse meaning of family, poems can also illustrate different emotional bonds with non-relatives, such as pets, friends, or caregivers.

Poems can be submitted online through the Library's website or in person at any library branch from April 1 to 30. Each poem that meets the contest criteria will have a chance to win a cash prize in one of the following categories:

• Primary - Kindergarten to Grade 3
• Junior - Grade 4 to Grade 6
• Intermediate - Grade 7 to Grade 10
• Senior - Grade 11 to Grade 12
• Adult - Ages 18 and up

Judging will take place at the beginning of May, and cash prizes will be awarded to the first, second, and third-place winners in each category. The first prize will be $50, the second prize $35, and the third prize $20. Winners will be announced in mid-May, and an awards ceremony will follow. 

The prizes for the April Poetry Contest have been generously sponsored by The Friends of the Dunnville Library, The Friends of the Jarvis Library, and The Friends of the Caledonia Library. 

For more information on contest rules and submission details, visit haldimandlibrary.ca/poetrycontest.