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The Kansas Storytelling Festival is holding 3 qualifying competitions this September and October to prepare for the 2027 Tall Tales storytelling contest. Any amateur Storyteller is welcome to enter these preliminary events to become one of 4 finalists who will compete at the Storytelling Festival on April 23-24, 2027, in Downs, KS. The public is also invited to come, listen and help choose the next Kansas “Tall Tale Champion”. All qualifier events are free to attend.
A tall tale is a unique form of American Story Telling in which the narrator usually has a part in the story. Telling a Tall Tale uses exaggerated detail describing things larger than they really are. A tall tale is a story based on a fact, or facts, and filled with unbelievable elements told as if they were true and factual. A tall tale has just enough truth to make a good story and to incite the imagination. Professional storytellers cannot compete. Information and rules for the Tall Competition are posted at Tall Tales | Mysite
The first qualifier will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Tonganoxie Historical Society; 201 W. Washington St.; Tonganoxie, KS. beginning at 5:00pm. Art Events & Workshops | Arts Council. One finalist will be chosen at this event. Following the Tall Tale contest at about 7:00, nationally known Storyteller Bil Lepp will perform a family-friendly story concert. Beginning at 2:00pm that afternoon, Bil Lepp will present “Learning to Lie, A Tall-Tale Telling Workshop”. The workshop is free and open to all ages.
The second qualifier will be held Saturday, October 3, 2026, at the Mid-America All-Indian Center; 650 N. Seneca St.; Wichita, KS from 1:00-3:00pm. One finalist will be chosen at this event. Following the contest, previous Kansas Tall Tale champions and historical Legends will perform. Information at Tall Tales | Mysite. Register by email at kansasstorytelling@gmail.com or contacting Mike at (785) 545-5285.
The final qualifier will be held in Downs, the “Storytelling Capital of Kansas” on Saturday, October 17, 2025 at the Zion Lutheran Church; 1018 Blunt Street; Downs, KS. The Downs event begins at 7:00pm. Two finalists will be chosen at this event. Following the contest, previous Kansas Tall Tale champions and historical Legends will perform. Information at Tall Tales | Mysite. Register by email at kansasstorytelling@gmail.com or contacting Jeri at (785) 454-1177.
Interested individuals can enter any of the events, or all of them if not selected as top qualifier. For more information or to register for each event, please go to the Kansas Storytelling Festival website https://www.kansasstorytellingfestival.com/ or the Kansas Storytelling FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/KansasStorytellingFestival.
If you are not able to attend one of the qualifier events, mark your calendars to attend the 33rd Annual KS Storytelling Festival on April 23-24, 2027 in Downs, Kansas. Kansas Storytelling Festival