The organisers of the Scone Literary Festival has confirmed details of its pared-back 'lite' festival being held on the weekend of March 12-13.
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Modifications were made to the literary festival's schedule following the decision to postpone several of the events due to COVID-19 concerns.
The 'lite' festival program will focus on picnic-style outdoor events including the traditional Bush Poets' Breakfast and the inaugural Picnic in the Park at Murrurundi.
Scone Literary Festival (SLF) president Janie Jordan said in the festival had pivoted to hold events focused on more informal and relaxed surroundings in light of current COVID-19 restrictions.
"We're thrilled with our line-up for the 'lite' festival to celebrate the love of words," Ms Jordan said.
"And we're absolutely delighted to be able to stage an event that will be fun, safe and we're sure it will be just as lively as previous festivals."
The new program features a literary picnic, a first for the SLF, at the Scone Arts & Crafts garden on Saturday, March 12 from 12pm to 4pm.
International best-selling author Joanne Fedler from Newcastle, debut novelist Michael Burge from Glen Innes and Upper Hunter author Paula Beavan will all be in attendance at the Scone picnic.
On Sunday, March 13, events include the the Bush Poets' Breakfast fundraising event in Scone and the Picnic in the Park in Murrurundi.
The poets' breakfast will be held Scone Arts & Crafts from 8am to 9:30am featuring a number of prominent poets, including 2022 Scone Young Citizen of the Year Emily Grainger who will recite classic Australian poetry as well as some of her own work.
Other attendees include Upper Hunter poet Tim McLoughlin, famed damper chef Tac Towns and Robyn "Rob" Christmas, the 2014 and 2015 National Champion reciter of Banjo Patterson's 'The Man from Snowy River', the only woman to have won the award twice.
Ms Jordan said Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell will also be in attendance to announce the winner of the festival's Farmers' Short Story writing competition.
"Our authors are not only great writers but also good raconteurs, who will share their stories in a fabulous, relaxed environment where everyone can get 'up front, close and personal' (COVID-safe of course), share stories and ask questions," Ms Jordan said.
"A relaxed informal picnic is what our guests asked for, and that's what we have planned."
The inaugural 'Picnic in the Park' will also take place on the Sunday at Wilson Memorial Oval in Murrurundi from 12 noon to 3:30pm.
Upper Hunter author Paula Beavan will be the feature guest for the family-focused Murrurundi event, discussing her debut historical novel Daughter of the Hunter Valley.
Ms Jordan said tickets for the festival events are on sale now, ranging in price from $60 for an all-inclusive general admission ticket to the Scone literary picnic to $30 per family for the Murrurundi picnic event.
