The EFA exhibited at The New York City Poetry Festival for the first time in 2021. It also was the first in-person event that the EFA sponsored since the pandemic hit, so volunteers had to abide by local public health guidelines to help keep fellow festival-goers safe. The two-day event took place outdoors on Governors Island and was attended by hundreds of poets and poetry aficionados.

Volunteer and EFA Board member Marcina Zaccaria reported:

After a lovely 10-minute ferry ride from Brooklyn, I found plenty of food and drink on Governors Island. Strolling along, seeing the other booths was joyful. Diagonally across from the EFA setup, Pen and Brush was displaying The Brooklyn Rail, where I had previously been published, so I felt like I was in exactly the right place. Also, the two open mics were invigorating.

New member Ansel Lurio and EFA staff member Vina Orden also were on hand at the EFA booth to greet members (and former members) who stopped by and introduced themselves as well as potential new members and clients who were curious to learn more about the benefits of EFA membership or about hiring the right freelancer for their project through the Member Directory and Job List. Of course, our signature giveaways—Werther’s candies and EFA-branded eyeglasses/mobile device microfiber wipes and totes—also drew passersby to the table!