The inaugural festival in 1999, held in a tent in Kit Carson Park over three days, has evolved to a single day event at Talpa Community Center, and other venues. The festival typically includes a community storytelling event, a Story Swap (free and hosted by a member of Storytellers of New Mexico), Storytelling-in-the-Schools, and an adult storytelling workshop presented by the headliner storyteller. Over the years, some of our featured storytellers (who have come from all parts of the United States and the world) have included Bil Lepp, Joe Hayes, Carmen Agra Deedy, Dovie Thomason, Cisco Guevara, Sarah Malone, Liz Mangual, Bob Kanegis, Kevin Kling, Terry Allen, Jo Harvey Allen, Antonio Rocha, Jerry Faires, Kuniko Yamamoto, Elaine Muray, Laura Simms, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, Andy Offutt Irwin, Two Worlds, a Native Theater & Performing Arts group, and Minton Sparks.
