Conroy Center’s annual March Forth to be held March 3-5

The nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center’s seventh annual March Forth will be held March 4 and 5, with a special preview event the evening of March 3.

March Forth commemorates the anniversary of acclaimed Southern author Pat Conroy’s passing on March 4, 2016, with programs on major themes of his writing and teaching life, including social justice, inclusivity, conservation, education, and storytelling.

On March 4 at Penn Center, a number of author events will be held. In addition, the York W. Bailey Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for $7 admission for adults, $5 per child. Darrah Hall will be open with free admission.

Author events include interviews and appearances by MacArthur Fellowship honoree, environmentalist, memoirist and poet J. Drew Lanham; South Carolina Academy of Authors honoree, environmentalist, memoirist, poet and novelist John Lane; New York Times bestselling novelists

De’Shawn Charles Winslow and Megan Miranda; and former Charleston City Poet Laureate Marcus Amaker.

Lunch will be served and book signings will be held for each author.

On March 5, also at Penn Center, Lanham will lead a nature walk from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a book signing to follow.

Reservations for the above events should be made and paid by Feb. 24 at marchforth2023.eventbrite.com.

The free preview event will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. March 3 at NeverMore Books, 910 Port Republic St. in Beaufort. New York Times bestselling novelist De’Shawn Charles Winslow, author of newly released

“Decent People,” will be in conversation with Jonathan Haupt. Winslow will sign books following the discussion. Seating is limited; call 843-812-9460 to reserve in advance. A free Teddy Bear Picnic Read-Aloud will be held from 9 a.m. to noon March 4 at the Port Royal Farmers Market. High school students will be reading children’s books to young readers, with light snacks provided. March Forth is presented in collaboration between the nonprofit Pat Conroy Literary Center and Penn Center, NeverMore Books, the Storybook Shoppe, the Port Royal Farmers Market, Catering by Debbi Covington, and the DAYLO (Diversity Awareness Youth Literacy Organization) chapters of Beaufort High School and Beaufort Academy, and sponsored in part by a grant from South Carolina Humanities.

To learn more about March Forth and the Pat Conroy Literary Center, visit online at patconroyliterarycenter.org or in person at 601 Bladen St., Beaufort, Thursday through Sunday, noon to 4:00 p.m.