Join us for the 31st Annual Kansas Storytelling Festival, Prepare to be enchanted by captivating tales from master storytellers, immerse yourself in the excitement of the Tall Tale Contest, and discover the rich tapestry of Local Legends. With a lineup of engaging events and activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy at the Kansas Storytelling Festival. A weekend filled with laughter, wonder, and the timeless magic of storytelling. We can't wait to welcome you to Downs for an unforgettable experience!

Schedule Of Events

April 25, 2025

12:30 PM : Registration

1:30-2:45 PM : Memorial Hall Ed Stivender and Priscilla Howe

3:00-3:45 PM :

Memorial Hall Michael D. McCarty "Around the World and Back Again

Depot (Workshop) Paul Strickland The Croft of Humor in Storytelling

Christian Church Pippa White "Voices from Ellis Island"

4:00-4:45 PM :

Memorial Hall (Legends) Major William F. Downs, Railroad

Miss Jones, School Teacher Native American Legend

Depot (Workshop) Priscilla Howe Storting Small: Telling Stories to Young Children

Christian Church - Ed Stivender "Once Upon a Planet"

5:00-6:30 PM : Senior Center Supper with the Storytellers (additional admission)

7:00-9:15 PM :

Memorial Hall (Tall Tales Contest) Gren McGlynn, Peter Browning, Rich White, and Larry Temple vie for the Shovel Olio of Featured Tello Fellers and Legends Admission with All Performance button or $5.

9:30-10:15 PM : Memorial Hall (Ghost Stories) Paul Strickland

April 26, 2025

8:00 AM : United Methodist Church Breakfast "Good Morning! Good Food!" (additional admission

10:00-10:45 AM :

Memorial Hall Pippa White Stories from the Suffragists"

Depot (Works (Workshop) Stivender "Storylab: 5 Fool Proof Rules for Success"

Christian Church : Priscilla Howe "Mildly Grimm: Folktales of the Brothers Grimm

Senior Center Senior Cent : Paul Strickland -90 Lies on Hour: Funny Fictions

11:00-11:45 AM :

Memorial Hall (Legends) Major William F. Downs, Railroad Miss Jones. School Teacher Native American Legend

Depot : Paul Strickland "Once Upon a Lle: Reupholstered Folk and Fairytales

Christian Church : Michael D. McCarty "My People My People: Stories of the struggles and triumphs of African and African American men, wom and children

Senior Center : Priscilla Howe "The Trickster Show Rascals. Tricky Foxes and Clever Fools!"

NOON HOUR : Explore the history and present-day flavors of this railroad town. Enjoy food, visiting and sharing your 2 STORYTELLING own stories. Our downtown businesses welcome you

2:00-2:45 PM :

Memorial Hall : Priscilla Howe "Did that really happen? Stories from a preacher's kid

Depot (Workshop) Pippa White "Mining the Gold in the History Books

Christian Church : Ed Stivender "Myth America" Classic American stories told with the help of harmonica & banjo

Senior Center : Michael D. McCarty "Get Up. Stand Up"

3:00-3:45 PM :

Memorial Hall (Master Storytellers) Sam Seymore. Mike Nyhoff, Kenneth Lee, Allen DeBey, and Keyta Kelly improvise on your ideas

Depot (Workshop) Michael D. McCarty "Tantalizing Tactics to Teach Tale Telling"

Christian Church : Paul Strickland "Un TrueBadour!"

Senior Center : Pippa White "Memories from the Titanic?"

4:00-4:45 PM : Memorial Hall (Swappin Ground) An open mic opportunity for you to tell your storypen

5:00-6:30 PM : Senior Center pper with the Storytellers (additional Suppe admission)

7:00 PM : GRAND FINALE Memorial Hall Pippa White and Michael D. McCarty, Admission with All Performance button or $10

Date : April 25-26, 2025

Location : Various Venues in Downs, KS

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