Welcome to the La Crosse Storytelling Festival

   STORIES–It’s what we do

     21th Annual 

            We’ve come of age!                    

Wisconsin’s first storytelling Festival

Friday, July 19th and
Saturday, July 20th, 2024
 Pump House Regional Arts Center   

 

Children's performance at the Festival

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!

Join us for our 21th Fest!

Dates: Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20, 2024

Location: The Pump House Regional Art Center in the Art District of downtown La Crosse. 

Pump House Regional Arts Center logo

This year’s fest has it all!

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             Stories, It’s What We Do

 

LA CROSSE STORYTELLING FESTIVAL MISSION

Photo of audience enjoying storytelling in the Festival's Main Tent.

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.

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Thank you for the support

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Latest News

  • Celtic Stories and Song
    Irish or not,  you will want to include Celtic Stories and Song in your Saint Patrick’s Day celebration. This event will be held at the Pump House http://thepumphouse.org on March 16. Doors open at 6:30. Join us for stories by members of the Bluff Country Tale Spinners, clogging by Clog Jam, and music with Dublin Continue reading →
  • Mark Your Calendars
    Ready for some 2024 Storytelling! We have stories for you! Put on your Irish and join us at the Pump House on March 20 for Celtic Stories and Songs. Members of the Bluff Country Tale Spinners will be joined by the musical group, Dublin Daughters and Irish dancers Clog Jam. Plus the father-daughter acappella duet Continue reading →
  • Friday the 13th!
    The Bluff Country Tale Spinners will share CREEPY story on Friday the 13th at the Pump House Regional Arts Center. The guild members will be joined by Michael Scott and Kay Weeden both of whom have been featured tellers at our festival. Doors open at 6:30 and the shivers begin at 7:00. Tickets are available Continue reading →
  • More Stories Coming!
    We had a wonderful fest. Beth Horner and Stuart Stotts were exceptional; they both got standing ovations on Saturday night. Eddie Allen sang his stories on Saturday afternoon; the entire afternoon was outstanding. Our children’s program was a rocking success with stories, music, movement and Puppets! Now on to our 23-24 Events. Tales of the Continue reading →
  • Fun! Fun! Fun!
    The La Crosse Storytelling Festival was a big success. A great time was had by all. Great food, awesome raffle baskets, music, and stories. Our featured tellers, Beth Horner and Stuart Stotts, received standing ovations at the Cabaret. Eddie Allen awed the afternoon crowd with his story songs. The children had a great time with Continue reading →
  • Tales of the Spooky and Scary
    Our night of creepy stories is this Friday, July 21. Doors open at 6:00 and the tales start at 6:30. Our featured tellers, Beth Horner and Stuart Stotts will share a story along with members of the Bluff Country Tale Spinners. Stories are for teens and adults. Please join us for a good scare!