Paris Storytelling Festival

The world's best professional storytellers come to Paris, KY just 30 minutes north of Lexington. Donald Davis, Bil Lepp, Andy Offutt Irwin, Carolina Quiroga & Donna Washington are this year's tellers.

Full Schedule:

Friday Feature: Laughing Night

$15 - Friday, May 10: 7 to 9 pm

Oasis on Main, 610 Main Street, Paris, KY

Advanced Purchase Required

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.

Breakfast at Trackside

$20 - Saturday, May 11: 8:30 to 10:30 am

Trackside at the Depot, 134 East 10th Street, Paris, KY

Please call Trackside at (859) 340-3010 for reservations.

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.

Horse Tails

FREE - Saturday, May 11: 11:00 am to 11:45 am

Secretariat Park 525 Main St, Paris, KY 40361

Bil Lepp will tell a story featuring horeses in the brand new Secretariat Park on Main Street.

Jam Session with Andy Offutt Irwin

FREE - Saturday, May 11: 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm

Hopewell Museum, 800 Pleasant Street, Paris, KY

Anyone who plays an instrument, sings or just loves to listen to music is invited.

Storytelling Showcase

FREE - Saturday, May 11: 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wallis Arboretum, 616 Pleasant Street, Paris, KY

20-25 minute stories from all 5 featured tellers. Introductions by our Master of Ceremonies. Seating will be available under a tent.

An Evening of Dinner & Storytelling

$35 - Saturday, May 11: 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm

Wallis Arboretum, 616 Pleasant Street, Paris, KY

Advanced Purchase Required

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.

Storytelling in the Churches

Sunday, May 12

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

Film "The Paris 3"

FREE - Sunday, May 12: 2:00 pm- 3:00 pm

Paris-Bourbon County Library, 701 High Street, Paris (map)

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.