MEDIA RELEASE
The City of Cookeville Urges Residents to Participate in and Attend Storyfest 2025
Cookeville, TN – Cookeville Storyfest, the region's only storytelling festival within an hour's drive, is set to happen on Saturday, May 3rd, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Dogwood Park, behind the Cookeville History Museum (40 E. Broad St.). This free, family-friendly event promises a day filled with laughter and the power of storytelling, featuring nationally acclaimed headliners Donna Washington and Tim Lowry, along with an amateur storytelling competition for residents to participate in.
"We're thrilled to bring such talented storytellers to our community," says Beth Thompson, City of Cookeville Leisure Services Museums Manager. "Storyfest is a unique opportunity to connect with others through the shared experience of stories, and we're especially excited to showcase the hidden talent within our own city."
Rick Woods, City of Cookeville Leisure Services Director, adds, “We are proud to support an event that celebrates the power of narrative and brings our community together in such a meaningful way. This is a chance to experience the very human connection that comes from shared stories.”
The festival's lineup includes performances by 2024’s amateur champion Lee Bailey, and Storyfest favorite Charlie McCoin, leading up to the headliners, Donna Washington (11:00 AM & 4:00 PM) and Tim Lowry (12:00 PM & 3:00 PM). Each headliner will be featured in two, one-hour performances throughout the day.
Additionally, Cookeville Storyfest is calling all amateur storytellers to step into the spotlight! At 1:00 PM, the stage will be open for local raconteurs to share their most entertaining tales. With a 10-minute time limit, participants will have the chance to win cash prizes and bragging rights.
Storyfest will feature polished prose as well as the messy, awkward, and hilariously relatable stories that make life memorable.
Contact:
Beth Thompson
City of Cookeville Leisure Services Museums Manager
bthompson@cookeville-tn.gov