Three Apples Storytelling Festival

September 26-September 28, 2008

A Weekend Celebrating the Art of Storytelling

The 24th annual Three Apples Storytelling Festival will take place in the Colonial-era town of Bedford, Massachusetts.  This outstanding Festival showcases 19 performers from New England and beyond.  This three-day storytelling event features many events – both free and ticketed – geared to every age group.

For those who can't wait, a number of Preview Performances will take place in August and September.  Enjoy free storytelling in your community.  Nine towns surrounding Bedford are hosting free storytelling performances in their libraries and fairs to preview this year’s Festival.

Bedford’s own Doris Smith will host Family Ghost Stories on Friday, September 26 at 7:30PM featuring Lauretta Phillips, Magdalen Cantwell, and Tim Van Egmond.  Adults can be spooked by Joanne Piazzi, Libby Franck, Lorraine Hartin-Gelardi, Tim Van Egmond and Odds Bodkin at 9:00PM.

At the Family Festival on Saturday, September 27 from 10:00AM to 5:15PM, start the day with a sampling of our featured tellers at the Festival Opening.  Engage all your senses to enhance the storytelling experience by seeing live performances, hearing how music enlivens the stories, participating in music making and Travelling Tales storytelling.  World class musicians weave music into the storytelling throughout the festival.    At midday, The Healing Force tells traditional stories from Africa on the Community Stage with the rhythms of drums, shekeres and thumb pianos.  With separate performances for kids and adults, there’s something for everyone in the family.

Saturday evening, September 27 is for adults.  Join us for an Evening with Odds Bodkin at 7:00PM. At 8:30PM, enjoy humorous stories at the Adult Olio with Christie Keegan, Tim Van Egmond and The Healing Force.

Sunday, September 28 features free musical performances in community settings.  Experience African spiritual stories interwoven with the music of The Healing Force at the First Parish Church Service at 10am.  Join Tim Van Egmond to share traditional folk tales and songs at the Bedford Free Public Library sponsored by the Friends of the Library at 3:30PM.  

This year the Festival takes place on and around the Bedford Town Common and at the John Glenn Middle School. Parking is free and the Festival is handicapped accessible. Tickets are available in advance, or during the Festival on the Town Common and at the Middle School. For more details on the festivities, and ticket prices, select one of the links below.

Come and bring the whole family. You will come home with a whole bushel of your own stories to tell!