PORTLAND DOWNTOWN LAUNCHES STEPHEN KING WEEK
A Celebration of Portland-Born King in Honor of his 76th Birthday
September 18-22, 2023
September 7, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information
Cary Tyson
Executive Director
207.772.6828 x212
PORTLAND DOWNTOWN LAUNCHES STEPHEN KING WEEK
A Celebration of Portland-Born King in Honor of his 76th Birthday
September 18-22, 2023
PORTLAND, ME – In celebration of Portland-born best-selling author Stephen King’s 76th birthday, Portland Downtown is launching its inaugural Stephen King Week. Culminating in a free screening of the filmed-in-Maine Pet Sematary (1989) at Congress Square Park. The week will host a variety of celebrations across downtown.
Monday, September 18 will be a King-themed writing prompt exercises across downtown led by The Telling Room. Tuesday, September 19 will be a special edition of Blurb Club/books discussion focused on the works of Stephen King beginning at 12 noon at Mechanics’ Hall. On Wednesday, September 20 at 6:15 pm Longfellow Books will host Maine authors Bruce Robert Coffin, Richard Cass, and Chris Holm discussing King’s influence on writing and storytelling. That same day the Portland Public Library will host a horror story writing workshop at 3:00 pm. Thursday will be Stephen King trivia. Details to follow. Pet Sematary will be shown in partnership with the Friends of Congress Square Park on Friday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m., among other activities.
“Stephen King is a national treasure. He is most assuredly a Maine treasure. He and his work are worth celebrating. We wish to honor one of Maine’s own. What’s better than a week-long birthday party? Plus we’re partnering with some great organizations with the hopes of bringing attention to their important work and ring some cash registers of local businesses while we’re at it” said Cary Tyson, executive director of Portland Downtown.
Other activities that week will include a Stephen King trivia contest, a cosplay character contest, a King-focused book discussion, and more. Portland-based businesses can submit their King-related events or promotions at: portlandmaine.com/stephenkingweek
The full schedule of events or promotions will be available at portlandmaine.com
Portland Downtown will be accepting donations to support The Telling Room & the Portland Public Library at each hosted event.
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Stephen King Week
submit your event or promotion for Stephen King Week, September 18-22, 2023. Mr. King's birthday is September 21. Please keep all submissions Stephen King-related. Bonus points for puns 🙂