Welcome to the La Crosse Storytelling Festival

   STORIES–It’s what we do!

    Our 22th Annual Festival!

and

            Wisconsin’s First Storytelling Festival

Friday, July 18th and
Saturday, July 19th, 2025

 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. 

• 2025 Festival
• 2025 performers
• 2025 schedule

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!

• April 17–Stories and music in a beautiful home
     Tales 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 →
• Celtic Stories and Songs
  Put on your green and orange and join the Bluff Country Tale Spinners for a night of all things Celtic on Saturday, March 15. Seven local storytellers will share Celtic folktales and original tales. The Dublin Daughters and Tom and Quinn Williams will provide musical entertainment as will Irish Dancers from Amanda’s Academy. Tickets are … Continue reading →
• Storytelling Classes in Winona
  Storytelling Classes in Winona! Terry Visger will be teaching storytelling classes this winter. The classes are at St. Mary’s University in Winona. They are held on Saturdays, bi-weekly through April. Classes begin at 10:00 and last about two hours. For more information contact  kamrynmattamgmt@gmail.com
• Celtic Stories and Song is NEXT!!
  Our Tales of the Creepy and Scary was a huge success. We heard wonderful stories including five actual newspaper articles from La Crosse’s creepy past, a spooky song by Tom and Josie Williams, and a fun, as always emcee. It was a perfect night. And now, up next is Celtic Stories and Song with the … Continue reading →
• Tales of the Creepy and Scary
  October is here and with it ghosts, goblins, and scary stories. The Bluff Country Tale Spinners will be weaving their tales of the Creepy and Scary on October 25 at the Pump House. Doors open at 6:30 and the scares begin at 7:00. Join us…if you dare! Tickets are available at http://thepumphouse.org
• Kevin Kling’s Workshop!
  Kevin Kling will be conducting a workshop on Saturday, July 20 at the Storytelling Festival. The workshop is: “Getting Started with a Story” When telling a personal story, how do we recall and then convey the details from an experience? In this workshop we will look at storytelling fundamentals, including the importance of a good … Continue reading →