Welcome to La Crosse Storytelling
Wisconsin’s Longest Running Storytelling Festival
STORIES–It’s what we do!
Our 23th Annual Night of Stories
We are RETURNING TO OUR ROOTS! JOIN US IN SEPTEMBER!
September 12, 2026!!!!!!
Pump House Regional Arts Center
For tickets: http://thepumphouse.org
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 22th Fest!
Dates: Friday, July 18 and Saturday, July 19, 2025
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
Our Latest News!
- Tales of the Creepy and ScaryFall is in the air and that means Tales of the Creepy and Scary is coming soon! Our annual creepy stories will be Saturday, October 25 at the Pump House. Door open at 6:00 and the show starts at 7:00. Members of the local storytelling guild, The Bluff Country Tale Spinners, will again bring you … Continue reading →
- A Great Fest!!!Our 22nd Annual Festival was fantastic! Bil Lepp, Charolotte Blake Alston, and Jim May entertained, taught, and entertained some more. We had two nights of stories for adults, one day of stories for children, workshops, a Luna, music, food, raffle baskets, and so much fun. You don’t want to miss next year’s Day of Storytelling. … Continue reading →
- More Library StorytellingIf you missed the first three library Storytelling and Puppet Making, you still have opportunities to bring your children to hear a story and make a paper bag puppet. Members of the Bluff Country Tale Spinners will be at: West Salem Library on June 28 Campbell Library on July 1 And Onalaska Library on July … Continue reading →
- Stories and Puppets at the LibraryFor the third year, the Bluff Country Tale Spinners will be sharing stories at local libraries. After the stories, the children will construct their own paper bag puppet of one of the characters from the stories……or from their own imaginations. The programs and all materials are free. The Bluff Country Tale Spinners donate their time … Continue reading →
- Kids’ Days in the ParkOur Tales in the Castle fundraiser was a huge success. Thank you to all attendees and to the Heart Strings Harp Circle for entertaining throughout the evening and to storytellers Amy Jo VanArsdall and Kay Weeden for their great stories.Plus a big thank you to all guild members and fest committee members who contributed the … Continue reading →
- April 17–Stories and music in a beautiful homeTales in the Castle, our annual fund raiser, will be held on April 17 at Castle La Crosse Bed and Breakfast at 1419 Cass Street. The event is from 5:30-7:00. Appetizers, desserts, wine, and coffee will be provided along with beautiful music by Heart Strings Harp Circle. Kay Weeden, a Madison storyteller, will share … Continue reading →