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 24th Fest!
Dates: Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12, 2026
Location: The Pump House Regional Art Center in the Art District of downtown La Crosse.
Friday
6:30 Bluff Country Tale Spinner (BCTS) teller
6:40 Susan O’Halloran
7:25 BCTS teller
7: 40 Intermission and raffle drawing
7:55 BCTS teller
8:10 Stuart Stotts
9:00 ending remarks
Saturday
3:00-4:00 Workshop
4:15-5:15 Workshop
5:15-5:45 music
5:45-6:15 intermission and Luna Story Slam
6:30-6:40 BCTS
6:40-6:55 BCTS
7:00-7:30 Kay Weeden
7:30-7:45 music
7:45-8:30 Susan O’Halloran
8:30-8:45 intermission and raffle drawing
8:45-9:30 Stuart Stotts
9:30 ending remarks
