The annual Word on the Street festival made its name as a one-day literary free-for-all featuring scores of author readings, exhibits, and performances, all clustered in Library Square and the CBC Plaza downtown. This year’s edition of that big day runs on Sunday (September 30), and offers everything from poetry slams and storytelling for kids to workshops, panel discussions, and countless chances to meet favourite authors and creators working in virtually every genre.

It’s worth remembering, though, that this installment of the festival boasts the full three-day format that organizers established last year. On Friday evening (September 28), you can join mountaineering-adventure authors Peter Zuckerman and Amanda Padoan at Banyen Books & Sound (3608 West 4th Avenue) or local theatre mainstays Marcus Youssef and James Long at Historic Joy Kogawa House (1450 West 64th Avenue). Saturday (September 29) sets out a full roster of events at the Carnegie Community Centre (401 Main Street) and the Vancouver Public Library’s central branch (450 West Georgia Street), with a how-to workshop on live readings and another on making chapbooks, to mention just two of many.

Admission to any and all is an easy-to-remember flat rate: free. Go to the Word on the Street website for the complete schedule.