Welcome to the La Crosse Storytelling Festival
STORIES–It’s what we do!
20th Annual
Wisconsin’s first storytelling Festival
Friday, July 21th and
Saturday, July 22th, 2023
Pump House Regional Arts Center
Fun during the children’s performances
The La Crosse Storytelling Festival was first conceived in 2003 by two local attorneys, Keith Belzer and Ted Skemp. Through their efforts and backing, the first 3 Festivals took place at Pettibone Park in La Crosse. It was in these first years that groundwork was lain for all following Festivals: the Festival would be first and foremost a family event, the level of National talent would be of the highest caliber, the Festival would highlight professional local tellers, and the event would serve as a way to educate the general public about storytelling.
In 2006, the Bluff Country Tale Spinners storytelling guild took on the major responsibility for the Festival. And, as Wisconsin’s First Storytelling Festival, it continues to meet the initial objectives. Come and enjoy the magic of storytelling!
What is happening in the 2023 Festival?
Dates: Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22, 2022
Location: The Pump House Regional Art Center in the Art District of downtown La Crosse.
This year’s fest has it all!
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Stories, It’s What We Do
LA CROSSE STORYTELLING FESTIVAL MISSION
Enjoying performances in the Main Tent
Our mission is to be the premier storytelling event in the upper Midwest, celebrating the art of storytelling by edifying, educating, and entertaining people of all ages and walks of life.
Donations
Latest News
- Puppet Show!The La Crosse Storytelling Festival is excited to announce that the Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre of West Liberty Iowa will be performing at this year’s Storytelling Fest on July 22, 2023 at noon. They will perform Kate Shelley’s Train Rescue. Following the performance, there will be a “Make & Take” Puppet Workshop. Adult and children alike … Continue reading →
- Please DonateWe are currently planning our 20th Anniversary! And we need your help. In order to bring you the best fest in the midwest, we are asking for donations. Please click on the button on our home page to donate to the fest. Thank you!
- RiverfestSeveral members of the Bluff Country Tale Spinners will be sharing stories on the Family Stage this July 4th weekend at Riverfest. On Friday at 1:00 Mary Lawrence and Terry Visger will be telling and Teri Wachuta will perform at 4:00. Tom Williams and Peter Petersillie will perform on Saturday at 1:00 and 4:00. On … Continue reading →
- VolunteeringThe Festival is in need of a few volunteers. If you would like to volunteer, please go to: https://signup.com/go/AnVNva If you have any questions, feel free to contact Megan Zirgibel @ Mcsoc200@aol.com or 608-769-1021. We love our volunteers!!
- A Wonderful ArtspireThe La Crosse Storytelling Festival and Bluff Country Tale Spinner members hosted a booth at Artspire again this year. The Artspire steering committee made the perfect decision to have the artist and non-profit booths in the nearby parking ramp. We stayed dry, met lots of people, and had a great day. Committee member Lori Portner … Continue reading →
- Area EventsMembers of the Bluff Country Tale Spinners will be sharing stories weekly at the Myrick Park Gun Shelter for the City’s Tot Camp. Through July, one or two tellers will share stories with the children on Wednesdays at 10:30. The BCTS have been telling stories to the children at this summer camp for over ten … Continue reading →