The first annual Thousand Islands Writers Festival was held at the historic Court House in Brockville on Saturday, October 17, 2009. The author line up included Carol Reesor, Garth Wallace, Diane Schoemperlen, Phil Jenkins, Leo Brent Robillard, and Maggie Wheeler. There was also a "Words and Wine" event, where festival attendees met the authors and heard retired Judge Paul Cosgrove read selected passages from works by Charles Dickens. The festival's first year proved quite a success with more than 100 people attendance!