PC @GastonCountyGov
GASTONIA, NC — Gaston County will kick off its 175th anniversary celebration Dec. 21 with a poetry contest reading.
County officials are encouraging the community to enter their original poems in the contest for a chance to be recognized at the ceremony held at 4 p.m. at the Rotary Pavilion in Gastonia.
Officials say the poetry contest will be split into three age groups: kindergarten-5th grade, 6th-12th grade and adult (18 and older), with anyone who lives, works or attends school in the county of Gaston eligible to Enter.
Officials say all poems must be submitted by email to Deputy Communications Director Dandria Bradley at Dandria.Bradley@GastonGov.com by 12 p.m. on Monday, December 13.
Poems must be original works, between three and 26 lines in length, and touch either the history or the future of Gaston County.
Officials say the winners will be contacted directly and then announced in person at the 175th anniversary celebration on Tuesday, December 21.
Each winner will have the chance to read their poem, then have it framed and hung in the Gaston County Administration Building (as well as receive a commemorative medal), according to a press release.
The winning poems will also be published on the special biblioboard webpage here.
County officials said the celebration will also include guest speakers, in addition to poetry readings and light refreshments after the ceremony.