LitFest 2012 opens with the About the Book event starting at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 at Columbia Basin College in Pasco.

The festival continues with periodic events during the next five months and features literary reviews, readings, workshops, booksignings, author presentations and writing contests. Admission is free to all events.

Poetry Out Loud on Feb. 15 features a presentation by Kim Addonizio. The Oakland, Calif., performer is viewed as one of the country's most provocative and edgy poets. Her talk will be at 7 p.m. in the CBC theater.

A complete list of 10 free events is available at www.columbiabasin.edu/litfest or by calling any Tri-City area library.