When organizers from the Washington Poets Association put Burning Word together, they thought to themselves, “What would we want in a poetry festival?”

They wanted the chance to hear internationally and nationally acclaimed poets. They wanted the chance to learn more about poetry and ways to improve their writing skills. And they wanted the chance to share their own work with others.

Burning Word 2006, the third annual festival of poetic fire, will do just that — and more.

The all-day festival commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Washington Poets Association, and the third year of the festival held on Whidbey Island’s Greenbank Farm.

“We love being on Whidbey Island,” said festival co-chair John Burgess.

“The community has really gotten behind us, and it’s a different feeling from events that our group holds in Seattle,” he said.

Burgess is co-chairing the festival with the association’s president, Victory Shouten, who also happens to be a Whidbey Islander.

Burgess said her connection with the community contributes a lot to the dynamic event.

The poetry festival’s main stage will feature more than 40 accomplished poets and performers.

A second venue will offer more than seven hours of open mic opportunities.

And the third venue will host 70-minute poetry workshops presented by noted poets and teachers.

“There’s something for everyone,” Burgess said.

For someone less experienced with poetry, the festival will be the chance to experience a new idea, have a great conversation, and perhaps, be challenged.

With so many things going on at once, Burgess said, the toughest thing for a poet will be deciding what to do.

The festival attracts people from all over Washington state, including large crowds from the Tri-Cities and Spokane.

Poets are traveling to the event from all over the Northwest, California, Arizona, British Columbia and Scotland. They will be joined by local poets as well.

“There are some great poets on Whidbey Island,” Burgess said.

The performers cover a wide variety of poetic styles.

“We cut across the whole spectrum,” Burgess said. “We have new young poets and we have established mature poets.”

“And we combine all of that with some great Whidbey local music talent,” he said. “Even the music is diverse.”

Having music at the festival in addition to poetic performances makes sense and adds an extra element to the event, Burgess said.

“Song is our sister, or brother or cousin,” he said. “The spoken word, sound and poetry all goes together.”