Weber State Storytelling Festival Celebrates 25 Years
OGDEN, Utah – Storytellers will gather virtually to share tales with audiences of all ages to celebrate Weber State University’s 25th annual Storytelling Festival Feb. 22 to March 18. All events are free and open to the public.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, events will be held online with the theme “Tales to Remember: 25 Stories in 25 Days.” Each day, new links will go live on the festival website that will take users to recorded stories.
“What started as a one-day event with only 150 guests in 1996 has grown into a beloved Weber State tradition, attracting thousands every year,” said David Byrd, festival chair and teacher education professor. “Since we can’t hold events in person this year, audiences will be treated to some of the finest entertainment imaginable in the comfort of their own homes.”
This year’s festival will feature renowned storytellers Ed Stivender, Simon Brooks and Motoko. Stivender, who appeared at the first WSU Storytelling Festival, is best known for his family friendly blend of wit, wisdom and whimsy. Brooks is an award-winning British storyteller whose tales combine the intensity of performance with the intimacy of face-to-face conversations. Motoko’s repertoire includes Asian folktales, mime, oral memoirs from her childhood in Osaka, Japan, and of her life as an immigrant.
Additionally, a variety of national and local storytellers will share their tales, including nearly 50 youth tellers chosen from the Ogden, Davis, Morgan and Weber school districts.
The festival has received national recognition over the years, including the Oracle Award from the National Storytelling Network in 2001, a community service award from Utah Association for Gifted Children in 2003 and the Distinguished Project Award from the Utah Association of Teacher Educators in 2010.
For more information about the Storytelling Festival, visit weber.edu/storytelling.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Shaylee Stevens, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • shayleestevens@weber.edu- Contact:
David Byrd, festival chair and teacher education professor
davidbyrd@weber.edu