FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – The Cumberland County Public Library (CCPL) will host the 16th Annual Storytelling Festival from March 1 to March 31, 2025. The Storytelling Festival promotes literacy, encourages inclusion and sparks creativity for everyone in the community. This free, month-long festival features stories and activities at multiple Cumberland County library locations for children from birth to age 12, along with programs open to all ages.

The 16th Annual Storytelling Festival was made possible by a $7,200 grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, awarded in October 2024. This year’s theme of “Mythical Marvels” includes programs and activities exploring myths and legends from around the world through storytelling from diverse perspectives.

“Storytelling is a powerful tool for children’s development,” said Faith Phillips, Cumberland County Assistant County Manager and Library Director. “It enhances their language skills, boosts imagination and creativity, improves their cognitive skills and teaches important life lessons.”

This year’s festival will feature performances by award winning authors and traveling theaters.

Performance Details:

Johnny Thomas Fowler, celebrated storyteller and award-winning musician and author, will present Appalachian Echoes and Music Foolery for all ages:

• Friday, March 7, at 10 a.m. - Headquarters Library
• Friday, March 7 at 4 p.m. - Bordeaux Community Library
• Saturday, March 8 at 10 a.m. - Cliffdale Regional Library
• Saturday, March 8 at 2 p.m. - West Regional Library

Chris Grabenstein, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lemoncello, Wonderland, Haunted Mystery, Smartest Kid and the Dog Squad series, will host an author talk and book signing:

• March 12 at 6 p.m. - Headquarters Library

Columbia Marionette Theatre will perform The Tortoise and the Hare with marionette puppets (ages 4 – 12):

• Friday, March 14 at 10 a.m. - East Regional Library
• Friday, March 14 at 4 p.m. - Hope Mills Community Library
• Saturday, March 15 at 10 a.m. - Spring Lake Community Library
• Saturday, March 15 at 2 p.m. - North Regional Library

Bright Star Children’s Theatre will perform From Anansi to John Henry, a celebration of folktales, tall tales and oral traditions from Black History (ages 4 – 12):

• Wednesday, March 19 at 10 a.m. - West Regional Library
• Wednesday, March 19 at 4 p.m. - Cliffdale Regional Library
• Thursday, March 20 at 10 a.m. - East Regional Library
• Thursday, March 20 at 4 p.m. - Bordeaux Community Library
• Friday, March 21 at 10 a.m. - Headquarters Library
• Friday, March 21 at 4 p.m. - Hope Mills Community Library
• Saturday, March 22 at 10 a.m. - North Regional Library
• Saturday, Mach 22 at 2 p.m. - Spring Lake Community Library

About the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County:

The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization based in Fayetteville, North Carolina that connects our communities, embraces diversity, promotes individual creativity, advances economic development and fosters lifelong learning through the arts. As a primary steward of public and private funding for arts, cultural and historical activities in the Cape Fear Region, all affiliated programs of the Arts Council exemplify their five core values: Excellence, Accountability, Transparency, Collaboration and Innovation. https://www.theartscouncil.com/

In the 2023-2024 year, the Arts Council distributed more than $1 million in grant funds and special allocations to Cumberland County artists, non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education and municipal offices producing arts and cultural activities.

Grants, programs and services of the Arts Council are funded in part by contributions from community partners, and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.

Learn more about CCPL or library locations by calling 910-483-7727, visiting cumberlandcountync.gov/library, or following on social media at facebook.com/CumberlandCountyPublicLibrary.