Timpanogos Storytelling Festival facts for kids

The Timpanogos Storytelling Festival is a fun event held in Lehi, Utah. It happens right after Labor Day, marking the end of summer. About 26,000 people come to the festival each year. This makes it one of the biggest storytelling festivals in the United States. The event usually lasts for two days. It features amazing professional storytellers from all over the country. Besides daytime shows, there are special evening performances. These often have themes like "Look Who's Talking" or "Laughin' Night."

How the Festival Started

In 1989, a woman named Karen Jackman Ashton had a great idea. She was the President of the Friends of the Orem Public Library. Karen wanted to find new ways to get people excited about the Library. She had volunteered there for many years. She helped with Storytime for young kids and other children's programs.

Karen went to the National Storytelling Festival in Tennessee. She saw thousands of adults listening to exciting stories. These stories were about history, different cultures, and family life. The whole town of Jonesborough helped host over 10,000 people.

Karen realized this was the idea she needed. Eight months later, the Friends launched the first Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. The Ashton family opened their home for the event. They set up places for performances on their property. Neighbors also helped by opening their homes. Three famous storytellers from the East performed. Local talents like James Arrington, Marvin Payne, and Gaye Beeson also shared their tales.

Early Growth and Success

By the second year, the festival grew even more. The Friends added more hours to the festival. They planned an extra evening show at the Scera Theater. They also used another field for a fourth performance tent. School groups were invited to the Friday morning shows. Five national storytellers joined the program. Local storytellers were chosen through auditions. Musicians played acoustic music during breaks. Storytellers also played instruments like the fiddle and banjo.

Festival Expansion and Awards

The Timpanogos Storytelling Festival has continued to grow every year. Event organizers from other parts of the country even visit the festival for training.

In 1999, Karen Ashton received a special award. The National Storytelling Network honored her for her great leadership. She was recognized for her important work in the community through storytelling. In the same year, the Utah Storytelling Guild also won an award. This group was started because of the festival. Janet Low, the Festival Coordinator, received an award in 2000. Debi Richan, the Festival Vice-President, got this national award in 2004.

New Locations and Community Support

In 2005, the festival moved to the new Mt. Timpanogos Park in Provo Canyon. The City of Orem designed this park especially for the festival. This new location allowed the festival to keep growing. It could have more and larger performance tents.

Many volunteers and groups have supported the festival. These include the American Legion, Kiwanis, and youth groups. Student clubs, the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the Utah Storytelling Guild also help.

In 2017, the festival moved again. It found a new home at Thanksgiving Point's Ashton Gardens. In 2020, a virtual festival was held because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 35th festival took place from September 5–7, 2024.