The Territory Tellers of Oklahoma, a 501(c)(3) state-wide organization dedicated to keeping the art of oral storytelling alive and thriving, is hosting its 19th annual Spirit of Oklahoma Storytelling Festival.

The festival activities are focused primarily for adults of all ages and older teens who enjoy stories and are curious about storytelling. Activities begin at 6:00 p.m. Friday as an informal gathering of attendees meet and greet storytellers and each other with a concert called Unsettling Tales: A Tribute to Friday the 13th.

Saturday’s events begin at 9:15 a.m. when well-known Oklahoma storyteller and featured festival teller Sky Shivers presents a workshop on storytelling dos and don’ts, as well as hints for success in telling stories.

Other activities include story swaps, where people can test their stories with a live audience, short stories, Tales & Pails at the Golden Corral, a poetry concert featuring past Oklahoma poet laureates Eddie Wilcoxen and Benjamin Myers, a family concert led by Valerie Kimble and the Territory Tellers annual members meeting.

An evening concert ends this year’s event with Sky Shivers as the featured teller.  We hope you will join us live for this wonderful event.

Schedule:

9:00 a.m. : Registration begins.

9:15-10:15: Brindle Cow Workshop
Sky Shivers presents a workshop on storytelling dos and don’ts, as well as hints for success in telling stories. Jeanette Harjo is MC.

10:15-5:30 p.m.: Silent Auction open

10:30-11:30: Story Swap w/ Rosemary Czarski
An informal storytelling session where anyone can participate.

Noon: Pails & Tales at the Golden Corral

1:00-2:00: Poetry Concert
MC Teresa Vail welcomes past Oklahoma poet laureates Eddie Wilcoxen
Benjamin Myers.

2:15-3:00: Free Family Storytelling Concert
A free concert with Rosemary Czarski introducing teller Valerie Kimble

3:15-3:45: Story Swap w/Diane Fallis

4:00-5:00: Annual TT Membership General Meeting

6:30-7:00: Pre-Concert Entertainment w/ Mike Williams

7:00-8:45: Evening Concert
MC: Rich White
Tellers: Alice Nathan, Tim Couch, Fran Stallings, Sky Shivers

NOTE: No pets are allowed at the event, only service animals.

All events take place at the Community Learning Center on the Rose State College campus at 6191 Hudiburg Drive. There is free parking in front of the venue.

2025 Festival Registration