50 days

It's about 50 days away from the big day - January 19, 2009. My plans (right now) are to attend the first weekend of the "official" Edgar Allan Poe bicentennial celebration in Baltimore. The inimitable John Astin is reprising his impersonation of Poe himself. Tickets go on sale as of December 1, and I'm sure they will sell quickly (they tend to sell out anyway; this time around might just be quicker).

Other events are scheduled all over. Richmond is hosting a 24-hour birthday party at the Edgar Allan Poe Museum. Philadelphia has its own event planned, celebrating the grand re-opening of the Poe National Historic Site with refurbished house and brand new exhibits (and one-time equivalent of the Poet Laureate Daniel Hoffman). Shockingly, even the city of Poe's birth is taking part. Boston is infamous for its 199-year long snubbing of Poe but a small (and dedicated) group are trying to give him his due at Boston College. So, there are plenty of options as far as where to celebrate. Where will you be?

Just a reminder that you can spend all 365 days of 2009 celebrating Poe's 200th birthday... err, year. Click here to purchase your copy of the Poe bicentennial desk calendar.