The annual Paris Storytelling Festival is held in the beautiful and architecturally significant towns of Paris and Carlisle, Kentucky, surrounded by charming Bluegrass horse farms and historical culture. The festival is geared to the old and the new, bringing together counties steeped in tradition yet open to the youth of tomorrow. Stories, music, history and hospitality abound as the communities come together to celebrate and share their love of story.

Schedule of Events:

May 10, 2024

Bil Lepp, Andy Offutt Irwin, and Carolina Quiroga will team up to entertain a crowd at Paris Livery. Cash bar available. Adults only. $15 individual tickets are limited, so reserve yours early.

May 11, 2024

8:30 to 10:30 am: Breakfast at Trackside
Trackside at the Depot, 134 East 10th Street, Paris (map)
Start your day off right by enjoying a breakfast at Trackside at the Depot while listening to stories by Donald Davis and Donna Washington.
Breakfast will be served from 8:30 to 9:30, it will be served cafeteria style with one time through the line for $20. At 9:30 the tellers will begin their stories.
Tables will be reserved for those eating breakfast only. For those not eating breakfast, a limited number of seats will be available, but you are also free to bring your own chair.
Please call Trackside at (859) 340-3010 for reservations.

11:00 to 11:45 am: Horse Tails at Secretariat Park
Bil Lepp will tell a story featuring horeses in the brand new Secretariat Park on Main Street.

11:45 to 12:30 pm: Lunch Break
Enjoy downtown restaurants and shopping
Downtown restaurants include Lil’s, Paradise Café, Happy People Coffee, La Esperanza, DC Kitchen, The Market and Trackside.

12:30 pm to 1:30 pm: Jam Session with Andy Offutt Irwin at Hopewell Museum
Anyone who plays an instrument, sings or just loves to listen to music is invited.

2:00to 4:30 pm: Storytelling Showcase at Wallis Arboretum
20-25 minute stories from all 5 featured tellers. Introductions by our Master of Ceremonies. Seating will be available under a tent.

6:30 to 9:00pm: An Evening of Dinner & Storytelling at Wallis Arboretum
Enjoy a spectacular evening of dinner and storytelling from all five featured storytellers under a tent in the backyard of the historic Wallis House. Charcuterie board opens at 6:00, dinner at 6:30. Reservations required. $35 individual tickets are limited, so reserve yours early.

May 12, 2024

Storytelling in the Churches
Each of the five featured storytellers plus our M.C. will share a 20-minute story as part of the services at a local church.
First Baptist – Carlisle
First Christian – Paris
First Presbyterian – Paris
Episcopal – Paris

2 to 3 pm: Film “The Paris 3” at Paris-Bourbon County Library
The public library is hosting an airing of “The Paris Three,” a movie trailer of the documentary of three young black girls denied service in the 60’s, prior to desegregation. All three women are still alive and have been invited to participate in the discussion along with the granddaughter of one of the women. There will be a facilitated open discussion after the showing.

Date: May 10-12, 2024

Location: Various Venues in Paris, KY

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