Imagination, inclusion, and inspiration fuel Riverside Reading Festival

Anna Carter had a large crowd at the Garden of Hope as she preformed segments from The Paper Bag Princess during the Riverside Reading Festival in Paris on June 28th.

Emma Bowman

Paris Independent Contributer

On June 28, 2025, the Riverside Reading Series kicked off its third annual festival with a burst of creativity and imagination. The day began with a lively children’s writing workshop titled “Imagination Train! Let’s Be Storytellers Together!” led by Patrice Rose, an event organizer from Waterford Town Hall. Visiting Paris for the festival, Rose guided young participants through a journey of storytelling, helping them spark their creativity and build their own “Imagination Train.” From cotton candy rocket ships to magical castles, the children brought their ideas to life through playful and adventurous stories.

While speaking with event organizers Lisa Wood and Rose, I was struck by their message about the importance of encouraging children to explore their creativity. The workshop provided valuable tools to help young minds express themselves through various creative outlets—face painting included. Whether it was kitten whiskers across their cheeks or snakes winding up their arms, each child had the freedom to choose their own design. Thanks to Rose, who acted as the pen for these budding storytellers, the children were given a space to let their imaginations run wild.

The Paris Performers Theatre had events scattered around the main downtown area sharing their favourite stories and performing each main character within them. I stopped by to talk to Nessie, who dressed up as Ramona Flowers from The Adventures of Scott Pilgrim. Using different voices for each character, she shared the story of Scott Pilgrim and his adventure to Castle Loma in Toronto. And while walking to the store Rebel and Royals, who were hosting the presentations of the featured author readings, I spotted Patti Gallant, reading from the Handmaids Tale at the Arlington. It wasn't long until I was drawn into the telling of The Paper Bag Princess at the Hope Garden. A large crowd surrounded the performer, Anna Carter, while viewers enjoyed ice cream and allowing people walking by to pause and listen in as they please. These performances offered a unique element to the different artistic expressions of the day.

The festival’s author readings began at 10:30 a.m. with Suzanne Craig-Whytock, an author and publisher. She was followed by Fareh Malik, a BIPOC artist from Hamilton and published spoken-word poet and essayist; Jaclyn Desforges, a queer and neurodivergent author who also led the “How to Write Like a Human: Literary Artistry in the Age of AI” workshop at the library; Zane Koss, poet and translator; and James Cairns, author and professor at Wilfrid Laurier University.

The readings continued until 4 p.m., with each writer sharing recent or unpublished work with an attentive audience. Malik presented new spoken-word pieces, while Koss read from his poetry collection Country Music. Following each reading, attendees were invited to participate in a Q&A session.

Audience questions led to insightful discussions, giving authors the opportunity to share details of their creative processes. Festival attendees, many with a strong interest in the arts, actively engaged with each featured writer following their presentations. Those I spoke with echoed a similar sentiment—they found the environment welcoming and free from the usual pressures of criticism or judgment. The atmosphere, they said, encouraged open expression and genuine appreciation for creativity.

On guest named Miranda shared, “I think it’s important to have a creative space.” She felt its deeply important for writers and readers who wish to further develop their skills and open up to sharing pieces of themselves. 

Alison Fishburn, the organizer of the Riverside Reading Series, started these gatherings because she wanted to “activate the local space” that Paris has to offer. Standing up in front of the listeners, showing the image of Lions Park’s Walter Williams Amphitheater, where the first Festival was held back in 2023, Alison shared her passion for bringing together creatives from all ages and backgrounds. Lisa Wood, an executive on the Riverside Reading Series board, told me that at one event, the youngest presenter was at the age of 13 and the eldest 93.

Students and aspiring writers gathered at the festival to share their work, gain new perspectives, and receive words of encouragement. The Riverside Reading Series remains committed to uplifting local voices, with a focus on inclusivity for queer, neurodivergent, and BIPOC communities—fostering a safe and welcoming space for all. The series and its annual festival continue to serve as a vital platform where creativity, connection, and community flourish.