Azalea Storytelling Festival

The Azalea Storytelling Festival boasts a rich history spanning over 25 years, evolving from a once-a-year event to a series of diverse activities throughout the year. It all began as a dream concept of three LaGrange women—Pat Gay, Evelyn Jordan, and Joyce Morgan-Young—who envisioned a festival celebrating the art of storytelling. With the support of acclaimed storyteller Donald Davis, their dream became a reality in 1997. The inaugural festival featured nationally known tellers such as Donald Davis, Ed Stivender, and Kathryn Tucker Windham, setting the stage for years of captivating performances and community engagement.

Donald Davis has remained a steadfast mentor to the festival, offering guidance and support while enchanting audiences with his storytelling prowess. Indeed, storytellers like Davis are eager to nurture others in sharing the timeless art form. The Azalea Storytelling Committee remains committed to its annual March event while expanding its focus to include a variety of storytelling activities throughout the year. From “A Taste of Storytelling” in partnership with the Friends of the Library group at Lagrange Memorial Library to casual gatherings like “Stories With Friends,” the committee seeks to foster a vibrant storytelling community.

One of the highlights of the annual calendar is “Stories in the Garden,” a free storytelling performance held in the pecan grove of the Hills & Dales Estate gardens every October. This joint event, celebrating its tenth anniversary, features well-known regional tellers and embodies the spirit of community and creativity. Additionally, the committee hosts the Donald Davis Storytelling Workshop at Hills & Dales Estate each July, providing aspiring storytellers with a week-long immersive experience.

As the Azalea Storytelling Festival continues to innovate and adapt to changing times, it remains deeply grateful for the support of the Lafayette Society for Performing Arts (LSPA), the sponsoring organization for performing art groups in LaGrange, Georgia. With unwavering support from the community, the festival looks forward to many more years of celebrating the timeless art of storytelling.