ROCKLAND — Tickets are now on sale for the first Millay Arts and Poetry Festival, Sept. 7, 8 and 9.

U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith will be joined by Richard Blanco, inaugural poet for President Barack Obama, and many local poets and scholars. The focus of the three-day event is Pulitzer prizewinner Edna St.Vincent Millay, a transformative poet, playwright and multi-talented artist of the 20th century. Along with recognized Maine poets, the fest will feature The Edna Project, a musical performance of MIllay's poetry, a premier of Millay-inspired music by the DaPonte String Quartet, a specially-commissioned play, Vincent, poetry jams and receptions. The Festival hosts 35 events in three days with 80 presenters and performers.

Biographers presenting at the festival include Nancy Milford, author of Savage Beauty, and Daniel Mark Epstein, who wrote What Lips My Lips Have Kissed: The Loves and Love Poems of Edna St.Vincent Millay.

The festival is a project of Millay House Rockland, a nonprofit literary organization that is restoring the Rockland home where the poet was born, and is partnering with other groups to promote poetry and the arts for all ages. To learn more and to purchase tickets, visit <http://millayhouserockland.org/>.