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OREM — Karen Ashton is thrilled but not really surprised that the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival is celebrating its 25th year and that the festival is financially sound and regarded by story lovers and storytellers as the finest of its kind.
The festival founder knew from the beginning — when the festival was put on in her backyard garden — that it was the kind of event that would lift and enrich families and generations to come.
"I'm so thrilled. It's the manifestation of a dream come true. All of my hopes and dreams have come true in this," she said.
Ashton said she's especially delighted with the festival's success because the festival is such a wholesome, family event.
"Storytelling has kind of infected our whole family," she said. "I'm certainly more of a storyteller now than I was then."
In addition to the summer festival, the Timpanogos Storytelling Institute (the festival was formally incorporated in January of 2012 as a nonprofit 501 (c) (3)), provides school outreach opportunities, workshops and showcases.
The institute has its first full-time employee and a formal board of directors to oversee 17 committees that donate more than 12,500 hours each year.
The proceeds from ticket sales have made it possible for the festival committee to help build the Orem Children's Library, make annual contributions to the library and support ongoing projects like the Center for Story.
The festival is self-sustaining with 30 percent of the people who attend the festival coming from out-of-state areas.
People who attend and love the festival then become emissaries for the state and the area, Ashton said.
So now, 25 years later, the festival committee of volunteers readies the tents and the booths and the events that go along with bringing nationally renowned storytellers and thousands of story lovers from all around the world.
Some are beloved favorites like master storyteller Donald Davis and five-time West Virginia Liars Champion Bill Lepp and Grammy winners Bill Harley and David Holt.
"Davis is just a gem," Ashton said. "And he's bringing back the bow-tie!"
Some are new beloved favorites like Clare Murphy, Ashton said.
"We have a super line-up. I find a new favorite every year," she said.
The list for 2014 includes Carmen Deedy, Syd Lieberman and Ed Stivender in addition to a host of local storytellers and musicians.
Ashton said there will be more than a couple of nice surprises.
"This is a fabulous year. The line-up is amazing, the very finest of storytellers everywhere will be here. It will be a grand year," Ashton said. "I expect we will have another 25 years."
In addition to ticketed events, this year community members and story lovers are invited to a free kick-off concert at 7 p.m. at Aug. 27 at the Shops at Riverwoods that will feature Bill Harley.
If you go:
What: 25th annual Timpanogos Storytelling Festival
When: Aug. 28-30 (Free kick-off event 7-8 p.m., Aug. 27, at the Shops at Riverwoods Gazebo)
Where: Mt. Timpanogos Canyon Park and SCERA Center for the Arts
Cost: Full festival; $35 discount price; single day $10 discount price; evening events $8; day price Friday and Saturday $25 (adult), $20 (child)
Website:www.timpfest.org
Sharon Haddock is a professional writer with more than 35 years' experience, 17 at the Deseret News. Her personal blog is at sharonhaddock.blogspot.com. Email: haddoc@deseretnews.com
