Public Library to Host 17th Annual Storytelling Festival March 1 - 31, 2026

CommunityEducationGeneral News ArticleHuman InterestPress ReleaseRelease for Others

Cumberland County Public Library (CCPL) will host its 17th annual Storytelling Festival from March 1 –- 31. The Storytelling Festival promotes literacy, encourages inclusion and sparks creativity for all community members. This free, month-long festival features stories and activities at multiple CCPL locations for children from birth to age 12, along with programs open to all ages.
 
The Storytelling Festival is made possible by a $12,000 grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County, awarded in May 2025. This year’s theme of Enchanted Gardens invites all community members to experience the art of storytelling in magical, garden-themed settings. Through diverse storytelling mediums, the festival explores various cultural traditions while fostering creativity, inclusion and lifelong learning.
 
“There is something powerful about a room full of people completely captivated by a story,” said Cumberland County Public Library Director Heather Hall. “For children, that moment builds vocabulary, imagination and confidence. But more importantly, it builds joy. And when reading is joyful, it sticks. We’re excited to bring families together to celebrate storytelling in a way that’s fun, a little silly and deeply meaningful for growing young readers.”
 
This year’s festival will feature professional storytelling and performances by puppet masters who educate and entertain.  
 
Performance Details:
 
Puppet Guy Productions boasts over 30 years of experience in entertaining and educational puppetry, featuring music and diverse puppet styles in productions. The Giant, the Beanstalk and Jack will be featured during the Storytelling Festival:

  • Wednesday, March 4, at 10 a.m. - Cliffdale Regional Library
  • Wednesday, March 4, at 4 p.m. - West Regional Library
  • Thursday, March 5, at 10 a.m. - North Regional Library
  • Thursday, March 5, at 4 p.m. - Spring Lake Community Library
  • Friday, March 6, at 10 a.m. - Hope Mills Community Library
  • Friday, March 6, at 4 p.m. - Headquarters Library
  • Saturday, March 7, at 10 a.m. - East Regional Library
  • Saturday, March 7, at 2 p.m. - Bordeaux Community Library
 
Lona Bartlett is a storyteller and puppeteer who delights audiences by bringing tales to life with voice, puppetry and imagination:
  • Wednesday, March 11, at 10 a.m. - East Regional Library
  • Wednesday, March 11, at 4 p.m. - Headquarters Library
  • Thursday, March 12, at 10 a.m. - Hope Mills Community Library
  • Thursday, March 12, at 4 p.m. - West Regional Library
  • Friday, March 13, at 10 a.m. - North Regional Library
  • Friday, March 13, at 4 p.m. - Spring Lake Community Library
  • Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. - Cliffdale Regional Library
  • Saturday, March 14, at 2 p.m. - Bordeaux Community Library
 
Barefoot Puppet Theatre brings imaginative shows such as The Wriggling Brothers Circus to life, with hand-crafted puppets, original music and inventive, eco-friendly sets:
  • Wednesday, March 18, at 10 a.m. - West Regional Library
  • Wednesday, March 18, at 4 p.m. - Hope Mills Community Library
  • Thursday, March 19, at 10 a.m. - East Regional Library
  • Thursday, March 19, at 4 p.m. - Bordeaux Community Library
  • Friday, March 20, at 10 a.m. - Headquarters Library
  • Friday, March 20, at 4 p.m. - Cliffdale Regional Library
  • Saturday, March 21, at 10 a.m. - Spring Lake Community Library
  • Saturday, March 21, at 2 p.m. - North Regional Library
 
About the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County:
 
The Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization based in Fayetteville, North Carolina that connects our communities, embraces diversity, promotes individual creativity, advances economic development and fosters lifelong learning through the arts. As a primary steward of public and private funding for arts, cultural and historical activities in the Cape Fear Region, all affiliated programs of the Arts Council exemplify their five core values: Excellence, Accountability, Transparency, Collaboration and Innovation. www.theartscouncil.com
 
In the 2025-2026 year, the Arts Council distributed more than $1 million in grant funds and special allocations to Cumberland County artists, non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education and municipal offices producing arts and cultural activities.
 
Grants, programs and services of the Arts Council are funded in part by contributions from community partners, and through grants from the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.
 
Learn more about CCPL or library locations by calling 910-483-7727, visiting cumberlandcountync.gov/library or following on social media at @CumberlandCountyPublicLibrary.

Public Library to Host 17th Annual Storytelling Festival March 1 - 31, 2026