Lake Lit officially opens on Saturday, April 12! Our all-day grand opening party on Saturday, April 12 will feature:
ALL DAY: Springtime-themed treats for the first 100 patrons. 25% off Lake Lit memberships. 10% off retail purchases. 10% off any workshop signups or event tickets.
11 AM - 2 PM: Easter egg treat handouts to those with Downtown Fond du Lac Partnership Easter Egg Walk tickets. Interested little writers will have the opportunity to write and send letters to the Easter Bunny!
2-4 PM: Open for retail shopping
4-4:30 PM: Ribbon cutting to celebrate Lake Lit’s grand opening!
6-8 PM: Poetry reading featuring poets James Hamilton and Luke Welch, along with local college student voices reading their creative writing work. Free snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Join us for a much-anticipated event with widely published poets and young writing voices.
About the spoken word artists:
James Hamilton is a renowned poet and spoken word performance artist, celebrated for his adventurous spirit and his embodiment of the modern beat poet ethos, reminiscent of literary icons like Kerouac and Ginsburg. A prolific writer, James has been published internationally six times and is an active member of both the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets and the P.O.E.T. (People of Extraordinary Talent/Wisconsin Chapter). His impactful presence on the Midwest poetry scene is widely recognized.
A seasoned performer, James is a regular guest on the #TOOM Broadcast from the legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe, located on the lower east side of Manhattan, New York City. Here, he shares his dynamic performances as part of a prestigious community of poets. He is also a two-time Certified Poetry Slam Champion in Rockford, IL, having secured the titles in April 2024 and February 2025.
James Hamilton's unwavering dedication to poetry and spoken word performance continues to inspire and captivate audiences, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in the contemporary literary landscape.
Luke Welch lives in northern Illinois where he works as a sign language interpreter, dances ecstatically, and writes poetry. He has published poems in various small press magazines and reads and performs his work on open mic stages throughout the region.