The Mad River Festival has deep roots in Northwestern Connecticut’s cultural and educational history. It was initially established in 1965 under the name Scroll as a literary magazine produced by the English and Art departments at Northwestern Community College (now CT State Northwestern). Writing featured in the anthology typically has been poetry, short expository prose pieces, short fiction, song lyrics, personal essays, and letters. In 1974, it was renamed Mad River Anthology, and in 1996, it expanded to the Mad River Festival. It continued publication annually through 2019, with a brief pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic and returned in 2023.
The current Mad River Anthology is CT State Northwestern’s annual literary magazine which features literary and artistic work created by students currently studying at the college. In recent years, the festival has expanded beyond its literary origins. It now includes poetry readings by students, faculty, and renowned poets, an annual juried student art show, new collaborations, and pre-event activities that celebrate the region’s artistic and literary heritage. The Northwestern Community College Foundation has sponsored its printing since 1993, in collaboration with the campus Cultural Planning Committee.
For more information, contact Courtney Puckett at courtney.puckett@ctstate.edu.