Official Storyfest Website
First National Bank George West
George West Chamber of Commerce
Texas Festivals and Events Association
Facebook Page
Texas Commission on the Arts
Historic Oakville Jail
The Storytelling Festival will begin Friday, November 4, 2011 and comes to an end on Sunday, November 6, 2011 
Downloadable Map of Festival AreaDownloadable Stage Schedule Downloadable Daily Events Schedule |
Liars, Stories, Festival, 5K Run, Car Show, Live Music, and much more - George West Storyfest
George West Storyfest draws triple the city population
The time is near...don't forget to come to the Little Red Wagon Parade at 10:00 am, Saturday, November 5, 2011 immediatly followed by the Opening Ceremonies. The Parade will begin in the H-E-Buddy Land and the opening ceremonies will take place on the courthouse steps. Come and help us kick-off the weekend of FUN.
Stories will come to life November 5, 2011 at the 23rd annual George West Storyfest. Come to the Storytelling Capital of Texas to hear all types of stories ranging from tall tales to history, folktales to cowboy poetry and much more. The festival grows each year and includes
Click to visit our official website
Free Festival Admission-Free Parking
Dress Code: Casual
Entrance Fee: No
301 W. Houston St.
George West TX 78022
888-600-3121
Megan Hicks - Featured Teller
After a decade of regional festival performances and Latin American tours, 2011 marks Megan's debut as a "New Voice" at The National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee. She is also a "Trashpunk" artist, creating wearable, whimsical and functional art from found materials.
Read more about Megan Hicks www.georgeweststoryfest.org
Personal Website www.meganhicks.com
Mark Babino
Read more about Consuelo Samarripa www.georgeweststoryfest.org
Larry Thompson
Read more about Consuelo Samarripa www.georgeweststoryfest.org
Read more about Larry Thompson at www.larrythompson.20m.com
Consuelo Samarripa
Read more about Consuelo Samarripa www.georgeweststoryfest.org
Donna Ingham
Read more about Donna Ingham at www.georgeweststoryfest.org
Personal Website www.donnaingham.com
DeCee Cornish
Read more about DeCee Cornish www.georgeweststoryfest.org
Personal Website www.deceecornish.com
Ellouise Schoettler
Maryland storyteller and North Carolina native Ellouise Schoettler is 20-year professional storytelling veteran. She calls herself an “old-time Southern storyteller,” just like the family storytellers she grew up listening to on her grandmother’s front porch in Charlotte.
Read more about Ellouise Schoettler www.georgeweststoryfest.org
Personal Website www.ellouisestory.blogspot.com
Jay Stailey - Featured Teller
Jay Stailey has been hanging around the storytelling community for over a quarter of a century. He is a two-time winner of the Greater Houston Area Liars’ Contest, was twice a featured teller at the George West Storyfest, a teller-in-residence at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee, and much more.
Read more about Jay Stailey www.georgeweststoryfest.org
Mary Grace Ketner - Featured Teller
Read more about Mary Grace Ketner www.georgeweststoryfest.org
Personal website www.talesandlegends.net
Mary Ann Blue
Read more about Consuelo Samarripa www.georgeweststoryfest.org
November 5, 2011, Come to George West, Texas for the 23rd Annual Storyfest. Captivating stories will be told along with chilling tales in the theatre, children have an area with a magician and more, people will dance in the street to The Pear Ratz, Classic cars will be rolling down the roads, 5K Runners/Walkers are ready, Little Red Wagons are being decorated, Arts and Crafts will abound, Food will be everywhere and The Liars will be telling BIG ones this year.
The Texas State Liars Contest is a lively and spirited contest with contestants from all across the Great State of Texas, this years group will include Sabrina Childress, a student from Odem!
A New event this year is Dobie Dichos which takes place out at the Oakville Jailhouse Inn. There will be campfires, dinner and great stories.
The entire fabulous weekend will kick off on Friday with a Free Community Breakfast. Early risers can gather at historic Buck West House for fresh coffee and delicious breakfast tacos. This is also an opportunity to visit with featured story-tellers.
Visit us at www.georgeweststoryfest.org for more information and schedules.
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Did you know Storyfest has a Horseshoe Tournament? Well, we do! Sign up is 12:00 noon; Tournament starts at 1:00 PM. $20 per team to the jack pot + $5 per team to be donated to the Live Oak County Boys & Girls Club. Saturday, November 5. For more information, call Joe at (361) 492-3531.
If you are considering entering the 5K Run/Walk but haven't gotten around to actually entering, remember that the early entry deadline to secure a t-shirt is Tuesday, October 25. You can mail your entry, drop it by the GW Chamber office, or give it to Mary Margaret. There will also be registration opportunities on the day of the event.
There will be door prizes provided by ConocoPhillips
Click here for 5K Run Entry Form
Entry forms for our Little Red Wagon Parade are available at the Buck West House in GW or online at our website. Entry fee is only $5 and a great advertisement for your club, business, organization, pageant court, etc. Plus, the wagon parade is a lot of fun!
Entry form for Little Red Wagon Parade
Dobie Dichos -Campfires, Chili con Carne, and the Words of J. Frank Dobie
A night of campfire cooking, booksigning and Texas authors' reading from the works of the master South Texas storyteller (Live Oak County born and raised).
Friday, November 4, 2011 - dinner starts at 6 p.m.
Readings til 9:30 p.m. - Oakville, Tx
(on IH 37 - between George West and Three Rivers exits)
On the grounds of the 1887 Oakville, Tx Jailhouse and Town Square.
Tickets: $15.00 Adults, $7.00 Children under 12 - can be purchased in advance by calling (361) 449-2481, or 888-600-3121.
Proceeds to benefit restoration of the Dobie-West Performing Arts Center, George West, Tx.
Don't miss out on any of these great events!
This year Storyfest is proud to host a new event on Friday, November 4, dedicated to Live Oak County-born and internationally-renowned folklorist J. Frank Dobie: “Dobie Dichos: Campfires, Chili con Carne, and the Words of J. Frank Dobie.” Ten prominent Texas storytellers and authors will take the stage at the Historic Oakville Jail to tell stories and read from the works of Dobie. A meal of chili and pan de campo will be served at 6:00 PM, with the stories and readings beginning at 7 PM. Tickets, pre-sale only, are $15 for adults, $7 under 12.
Storyfest Saturday kicks off with a 5K Fun Run/Walk at 7:30. The festival grounds activities start at 10:00 AM with the sound of the George West school band leading the famous Little Red Wagon Parade. Individuals and groups decorate wagons and pull them by hand on the festival grounds. Storytelling and music alternate on three stages, with continuous entertainment throughout the day and into the evening.
Nationally renowned and top Texas storytellers fascinate audiences with stories ranging from folklore about Texas and around the world to home-grown tales, history, and more. Cowboys tell their tales in poetry form. Ghost stories spook all ages after dark in the Dobie/West Performing Arts Theatre.
The Texas State Liar’s Contest © takes place at mid-afternoon. Texas State Champion Liar DeCee Cornish will be on hand to defend his title.
Music throughout the day will get your toes tapping and maybe even get you out of your seat dancing. Do some early Christmas shopping at arts and crafts booths. Eat tasty food like fajitas, burgers, and funnel cakes prepared by local nonprofit groups. Learn about flint knapping and visit with soldados, Mexican soldiers of the 1800’s.
Children can spend the day playing games, petting animals, and having fun in the Children’s Area, as well as learning about percussion in the Percussion Petting Zoo and being spellbound by a magician. Car enthusiasts can vote on their favorite car on display at the Classic Car Show. Admission is FREE all day on Saturday!
This year’s Street Dance from 9:00 -12:00 on Saturday night features The Pear Ratz, with Pake Rossi opening. Dance admission is $10.
On Sunday morning, First United Methodist Church is this year’s host for Sacred Stories at 9:30. Everyone is welcome to listen in.
So come to George West November 4-6 and be a part of the good times and great stories at George West Storyfest. Visit www.georgeweststoryfest.org for more information and directions. For up-to-the-minute information follow us on Facebook.
Campfires, Chili con Carne, and the Words of J. Frank Dobie
"Any tale belongs to whoever can best tell it!" J.F.D.
A night of campfire cooking, booksigning and Texas authors' reading from the works of the master South Texas storyteller (Live Oak County born and raised).
Friday, November 4, 2011 - dinner starts at 6 p.m.
Readings til 9:30 p.m. - Oakville, Tx
(on IH 37 - between George West and Three Rivers exits)
On the grounds of the 1887 Oakville, Tx Jailhouse and Town Square.
Tickets: $15.00 Adults, $7.00 Children under 12 - can be purchased in advance by calling (361) 449-2481, or 888-600-3121.
Hurry to get your tickets for this BYOLC (bring your own lawn chair) event
Proceeds to benefit restoration of the Dobie-West Performing Arts Center, George West, Tx.
To learn more about the Historic Oakville Jail, visit their website at www.oakvillejail.com.
You won't want to miss this inaugural event presented by Storyfest! Proceeds will go toward the Dobie/West Performing Arts Theatre renovation project in George West.
Storytelling Showcase
Featuring the Central Texas Storytelling Guild
In 2009, George West Storyfest began what we hope will become another tradition at our festival: showcasing storytellers from a Tejas Storytelling Association affiliate guild. The first guild to participate was the San Antonio Storyteller Association. Member and Storyfest storyteller Mary Grace Ketner emceed the session. The first showcase was such a success that this year we have invited the Central Texas Storytelling Guild to join us for a showcase.
We want to thank Jo Virgil President of the Central Texas Storytelling Guild who coordinated the selection of storytellers who will tell a story this year in the Showcase.
Come out November 6, 2010 to be part of this wonderful event.
For more information visit www.georgeweststoryfest.org
by Mary Margaret Campbell
George West, TX (September 21, 2010)—If you’re looking for stories of all kinds, lies, music, and fun, then George West, the Storytelling Capital of Texas, is where you want to be November 6 for the 22nd annual George West Storyfest.
Storyfest Saturday opens with the sound of the George West school band leading the famous Little Red Wagon Parade. Storytelling and music alternate on three stages, with continuous entertainment throughout the day and into the evening.
Featured this year are renowned storytellers Yvonne Healy, James Ford, and Tim Tingle, who will bring to the Storyfest stage a multiethnic mix of stories. Top Texas tellers like Donna Ingham, Mark Babino, Mary Grace Ketner, DeCee Cornish, and others will tell stories ranging from folklore about Texas and around the world to home-grown tales. Cowboys John Campbell, Dennis Gaines, and Cade Schalla will tell their tales in poetry form. And don’t forget the ghost stories after dark in the Dobie/West Performing Arts Theatre!
Be sure to attend the Texas State Liar’s Contest © at mid-afternoon. Come see if reigning Texas State Champion Liar Dennis Gaines can tell a big enough lie to hold onto the title.
The music of three-time Grammy nominee Allan Chapman, Riptide, Gil Prather, The Rossi Family, No Vacancy, Jean Schnitz,, and DescoNosido will get your toes tapping and maybe even get you out of your seat dancing. Do some early Christmas shopping at arts and crafts booths. Eat tasty food like fajitas, burgers, and funnel cakes prepared by local nonprofit groups. Visit with 1870s Texas cowhands in their camp, with a real chuckwagon, as they prepare to point ‘em north. Learn about the contributions of town founder George West to trail driving and the cattle industry. Buffalo Soldiers will be on hand to explain their participation in taming the frontier.
Children can spend the day playing games, petting animals, and having fun in the Children’s Area. The Texas Junior Anglers will have their Catch Tank on hand for children of all ages to catch a live fish from the tank, and the folks from Noah’s Way will present four interactive animal shows, featuring a prairie dog, a bearded dragon lizard, a tortoise, a cockatoo, and more. Car enthusiasts can vote on their favorite car on display at the Classic Car Show.
Then after dark, dance on the street at the traditional Street Dance from 9:00 -12:00, featuring Texas singer-songwriter Houston Marchman, with Live Oak County favorites The Pear Ratz opening.
On Sunday morning, The Church of Christ will host Sacred Stories at 10:00. Everyone is welcome to listen in.
So come to George West November 6 and be a part of the good times and great stories at George West Storyfest.
Visit www.georgeweststoryfest.org for more information and directions.
Stories will come to life November 6, 2010, at the 22nd annual George West Storyfest.
Come to The Storytelling Capital of Texas to hear all types of stories, ranging from tall tales to history, folktales to cowboy poetry, and much more. The state’s biggest liars will be on hand to compete in the Texas State Liars’ Contest ©.
The Storyfest will also include Live Music with a street dance, Arts and Crafts, Children's Activities, a Classic Car Show, a 5K Run, Ghost Stories, a Free Community Breakfast and much more.
Visit our website at
http://www.georgeweststoryfest.org
| Texas Liar's Contest-George West Texas |
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Texas Liar’s Contest
“I cannot tell a lie”, said George Washington. “Don’t fib or you’re nose will grow”, is what Pinocchio was told. Well, we encouraged folks to lie – the bigger the tale the better! That’s what the Texas State Liars Contest© is all about. Storytellers from across the State will compete to see who the biggest liar in all of Texas is. Many wild tales will be told on the FNB St...
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| Classic Car Show |
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There is always a story to be told, and you’re sure to hear some great ones at the Car Show. This open Classic Car Show has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years as many area car enthusiasts bring out their pride and joy to show off and vie for the honor of “Crowd Favorite.” The elbow grease that goes into restoring these vehicles is quite evident in their shiny finish, polished whe...
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| Little Red Wagon Parade-George West Storyfest |
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Little Red Wagon Parade
Storyfest Saturday opens with the sound of the George West school band leading the famous Little Red Wagon Parade. Individuals and groups decorated wagons and pulled them by hand on the festival grounds. Start preparing NOW!!! Drag that little red wagon from your childhood out of the attic and decorate it, or let your kids decorate their own! There is no specific theme,...
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| Friday Morning Community Breakfast |
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Kick off your fun filled festival weekend at the Friday Morning Community Breakfast (It's Free). It will be held on the grounds of the historic Buck West House. Be an early riser and get a chance to visit with friends, neighbors and even some of the storytellers over a hot cup of coffee and a breakfast taco.
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| Live Band-Music-Dance |
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George West Storyfest Street Dance and Live Music
Some stories come to us best through a musical note.
We're sure to have plenty of music to please you.
Bands will play throughout the day.Enjoy the performances of:
Owen Temple
Riptide
Brush Country Cowboy Church Cloggers
Clifton Jansky, Gospel
Lonestar Bluegrass Band
Chano Cadena y Sus Conjunto
Jim Jones
Gil Prathner
Mark your calendar so you...
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| Storytelling-Good Times, Great Stories |
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At the 23rd annual George West Storyfest stories come to life.
Come to The Storytelling Capital of Texas to hear all types of stories, ranging from tall tales to history, folktales to cowboy poetry, and much more. The state’s biggest liars will be on hand to compete in the Texas State Liars’ Contest ©.
With live oak trees for canopies and hay bales for seats, thousands gather each year
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| 5K Run-George West Texas |
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Get your runnin’ shoes on—or your walkin’ shoes—and head on down to George West Storyfest for the resurrection of the 5K run/walk.
Sponsored By:
Where: St. George Catholic Church parking lot, 304 Crockett Street
When: Race Starts at 7:30 AM, Saturday, November 5
For more details and to register, click here for the 5K Run/Walk flyer
Get your runnin' shoes on—or your walkin' shoes—a...
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| Food and Craft Booths |
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Arts and Crafts & Food Booths
You won’t want to miss an opportunity to start your holiday shopping at the great array of arts and craft booths. Everything from jewelry to barbed wire, puppets to hand-crafted crosses will be for sale.
When hunger strikes, the food booths will be ready! Our local non-profit groups cook up some good grub and you’ll satisfy your cravings with delicious choices lik...
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| Dobie Dichos |
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Campfires, Chili con Carne, and the Words of J. Frank Dobie
"Any tale belongs to whoever can best tell it!" J.F.D.
A night of campfire cooking, booksigning and Texas authors' reading from the works of the master South Texas storyteller (Live Oak County born and raised).
Friday, November 4, 2011 Dinner starts at 6 p.m.
Readings til 9:30 p.m. - Oakville, Tx
(on IH 37 - between George We...
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George West’s Storyfest receives accolades from Sen. Zaffirini
by Rita Arnst
12.30.09 - 12:00 pm
Senator Judith Zaffirini
George West Storyfest Director, Mary Margaret Campbell addressed the George West City Council during the citizen’s participation segment of the meeting on Dec. 21 to report on Storyfest.
“Most of you were at Storyfest and noticed the crowds but they didn’t spend a lot of money. Booth and ticket sales were down but we had a record number of vendors. I want to thank you for your support and as a token of support I have a little gift for you,” said Campbell.
She passed out promotional Storyfest koozies to the council members and then read the proclamation signed by Senator Judith Zaffarini.
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize the 21st Annual George West Storyfest, which is taking place November 7, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Since 1989, the community of George West, known as the storytelling capital of Texas, has held this outstanding event so that the vital heritage of storytelling could be passed from one generation to the next; and
WHEREAS, The George West Storyfest has also served to promote literacy by sending storytellers to local schools to entertain and educate students; these talented men and women tell stories of all types, from history and folklore to legends and tall tales; and
WHEREAS, In addition to the educational aspects of the festival, Storyfest has through the years raised thousands of dollars for area nonprofit organizations by offering them opportunities to sponsor food and gaming booths at the event; in 2007 alone, approximately $27,000 was paid out to various groups for their participation; and
WHEREAS, The 2009 George West Storyfest will offer noted storytellers Bill Lepp, De Cee Cornish, and Sheila Starks Phillips as featured performers; this stellar event is truly deserving of recognition for its contributions to education and its commitment to charitable organizations; now, therefore, be it
PROCLAIMED, That the Senate of the State of Texas hereby commend the Storyfest Association and everyone connected with this outstanding event for their commitment and dedication and extend best wishes for a successful and memorable George West Storyfest; and, be it further
PROCLAIMED, That a copy of this Proclamation be prepared in recognition of this special event.
Signed Judith Zaffirini Member, Texas Senate
© mysoutex.com 2009