Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival

Celebrate with Timeless Tales, Music, & More! • September 21, 2024

Thank You for Supporting the 23rd Annual Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival!

York County Library would like to thank our festival emcee, performers, sponsors, and all those who attended our 23rd Annual Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival for helping us celebrate the art of storytelling! We hope you enjoyed our talented storytellers and performing artists, fun activities, and entertaining pre-festival events. We'd especially like to recognize the Friends of the York County Library, whose generous support helps make Patchwork Tales possible.

If you attended the festival, we'd love to hear from you! Please complete our online survey. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to sharing more tale-telling with you next year — continue to check this website for updates!

Schedule • Performers • Sponsors • Additional Information

Admission and parking are free! Look for a variety of fun activities for children, teens, and adults throughout the day, and be sure to grab a bite to eat from our participating food trucks. Please note that friendly, leashed pets are welcome, but alcoholic beverages are prohibited. See below for more information, performers, and a full schedule of events.

Pre-Festival Event Schedule

Monday, August 12, – Friday, August 30, 2024

York County Library Youth Visual Art Contest

The Patchwork Tales Youth Visual Art Contest has ended, and York County Library thanks all those who participated. We received some great entries, so please check out the winners and their artwork! First-prize winners received a $50 gift card, and second-prize winners received a gift basket! Thank you for helping us celebrate Patchwork Tales and the many forms of storytelling, and be sure to join us on September 21 during the festival for an art reception!

Monday, September 16, 2024

Johnny Thomas Fowler: American Folktales and Enchanting Old-Time Tunes (Virtual Performance)

Johnny Thomas Fowler's dynamic narration, engaging voices, and vibrant characters will captivate and enthrall as he introduces historical context while playing fascinating American folk instruments. This delightful celebration of our cultural heritage is excellent for all ages and promises to leave you inspired and intrigued.

9:00 a.m. via the YCL YouTube Channel (available to view through Sunday, September 22)

Monday, September 16, – Thursday, September 19, 2024

Johnny Thomas Fowler: Grandma's Apron Strings

This captivating storytelling program by Johnny Thomas Fowler features heartfelt family tales about growing up almost Appalachian. Told from a child's perspective, these powerful and thought-provoking stories will make you laugh, cry, and reminisce about days gone by. Perfect for families and especially cherished by seniors, this event promises to be a memorable experience for all. Recommended for ages 10 and up.

Monday, September 16, 5:30–6:15 p.m., Clover Library

Tuesday, September 17, 4:00–4:45 p.m., Fort Mill Library

Thursday, September 19, 10:30–11:15 a.m., Lake Wylie Library

Thursday, September 19, 4:00–4:45 p.m., York Library

Friday, September 20, 2024

Josh Goforth: Elementary School Performances

Josh Goforth presents a special performance for York County elementary school students. (By invitation only.)

9:00–10:00 a.m., York Preparatory Academy

1:00–1:45 p.m., Cotton Belt Elementary

Chetter Galloway: Middle School Performances

Chetter Galloway presents a special performance for York County middle school students. (By invitation only.)

8:15–9:00 a.m. & 9:00–9:45 a.m., Banks Trail Middle School

Festival Events

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Crafts and Activities

Join Library staff and our community partners inside The White Home for these special free Patchwork Tales activities! Patchwork Tales merchandise will also be available for purchase at the Friends of the Library Welcome Table.

11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Celebrate the creativity of young artists at the Youth Visual Art Contest reception.

11:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m. Make your very own Patchwork collage at the Children’s Craft Table.

12:00–1:00 p.m. Join Ed's Dinosaurs Live for a "show-and-tail" with a gang of prehistoric friends! Pet a baby dinosaur, interact with a Stegosaurus, and maybe even see a dinosaur being hatched.

1:00–2:30 p.m. Check out the balloon-twisting room and see what Jon Sundell can create for you.

1:00–2:45 p.m. Stop by the Teen Craft Table and make a music pendant or a "tell a story with jewelry" letter bracelet.

1:00–3:00 p.m. Let Kristin's Kreations put a smile on your face with enchanting face painting for children.

1:00–3:00 p.m. Don't miss out on the fun character drawings from the entertaining Caricatures by Jerry.

3:00–4:45 p.m. Stop by the Adult Craft Table and make your own Patchwork Scrapbook to record fun memories.

3:00–5:00 p.m. Enjoy a quilt display and demonstration by the York County Quilters Guild.

3:00–5:00 p.m. Historic Rock Hill members will share colorful stories of Ann White and her brother, Hiram Hutchison, impactful Rock Hillians who helped make Rock Hill the thriving city it is today.

Festival Performances

Gather on the lawn outside The White Home for stories, music, and more entertainment from our featured performers! Some folding chairs will be provided, but personal lawn chairs are welcome.

11:00–6:00 p.m. Carlo Dawson: Welcome and Introductions
Award-winning author, "edutainer," and festival emcee Carlo Dawson will welcome guests, introduce performers, and share a few stories of her own as she guides the audience through the day's events.

11:00–11:45 a.m. Ed's Dinosaurs Live: Dino-Mite Fun
Ed's Dinosaurs Live combines education and entertainment in an interactive show where the dinosaurs come to life!

12:00–12:30 p.m. Jon Sundell: Folk Tales and Tunes
Jon Sundell interweaves a multicultural assortment of folk tales with old and new songs, accompanied by guitar, banjo, and other instruments while incorporating varied opportunities for audience participation.

12:45–1:00 p.m. Genesis Medley: Poetry Reading
Rock Hill Youth Poet Laureate Genesis Medley shares a variety of poetry.

1:15–1:45 p.m. Chetter Galloway: Tales of a Few Tricksters
Chetter Galloway shares humorous stories from the African diaspora rooted in folklore and cultural traditions. Some sneaky, some clever, some witty, some wise, these characters are like birds of a feather whose stories flock together!

2:00–2:45 p.m. Josh Goforth: Sounds of the Mountains
Famous for fiddling, Josh Goforth is a highly accomplished storyteller and old-time, bluegrass, and swing musician. While sharing his music, he will delight audiences with tales of growing up in the mountains of Madison County, N.C.

3:00–3:45 p.m. Michael Reno Harrell: An Afternoon with Michael Reno Harrell
Michael Reno Harrell will perform original stories and songs from his 50-plus-year career. Audiences will find humorous tales, heartwarming songs, and a lot of their own memories scattered throughout the performance.

4:00–4:45 p.m. Chetter Galloway: Breaking Bread with a Sharp Slice of Chetter
Personal, relatable, and thought-provoking! Join Chetter Galloway as he shares stories of strength and courage while overcoming adversity with a little help from the wisdom of the ancestors.

5:00–6:00 p.m. Josh Goforth and Michael Reno Harrell: Songs and Stories From Our Appalachian Roots

Nationally known entertainers and friends Josh Goforth and Michael Reno Harrell finally team up, blending their similar backgrounds and Southern Appalachian roots into a unique live experience of storytelling and music.

Performers

Carlo Dawson

Carlo Dawson is an award-winning author, poet, master storyteller, historic dramatic reenactor, arts integration specialist, motivational speaker, and community organizer. She is also the founder and executive director of the Power of PROGENY Foundation and a teaching artist of nearly 20 years. In short, she calls herself an "edutainer." Carlo is the author of three children’s books and two poetry books and has also been featured on both South Carolina ETV and the BBC News "Juneteenth" feature.

Chetter Galloway

Chetter Galloway grew up hearing his father tell stories on road trips. One of his favorites was "The Talking Skull," a West African cautionary tale about a man who loses his head! So, it’s no wonder his background is rooted in the African oral tradition. From coast to coast and parts unknown, he shares everything from folktales to personal stories and loves to put his own special touch on stories, which he calls "Chetterizing." Chetter is also an avid runner who enjoys creating stories while running!

Ed’s Dinosaurs Live

In 2011, Mr. Ed, with a homemade dinosaur, some balloons, and a few tricks up his sleeve, began throwing birthday parties for anyone in the Southeast who would have him. Not only did his business grow, but so did his family of dinosaurs, entertainers, and tricks. His mission is to share his love of dinosaurs with everyone.

Genesis Medley

Genesis Medley is a college freshman and Rock Hill's Youth Poet Laureate. During high school, she achieved several notable accomplishments, including winning third place in the state for a short original play and ranking in the top 10% of her class. Genesis attends Converse University on a full scholarship and looks forward to the opportunities that lie ahead and the impact she will make in the future.

Johnny Thomas Fowler

Johnny Thomas Fowler, a mountain heritage storyteller and an award-winning musician and author, is from the foothills of upcountry South Carolina. His work is featured on South Carolina ETV, where he has co-produced a number of documentaries. His storytelling style is an eclectic mix of Appalachian folk tales, fairy tales, tall tales, and contemporary yarns, all infused with traditional songs and ballads.

Jon Sundell

Through five decades as a professional folksinger, storyteller, and square dance caller, Jon Sundell has proven to be an outstanding interpreter of folk tradition. In nearly half of the United States and several countries in Europe and Latin America, he has performed for people of all ages and backgrounds, in both Spanish and English. Accompanying himself on guitar, banjo, autoharp, mountain dulcimer, harmonica, and spoons, as well as singing unaccompanied, Jon interweaves songs with folk tales of different cultures to create a varied program that easily maintains the interest of any group.

Josh Goforth

Josh Goforth grew up in Madison County, N.C., surrounded by the music and stories of his ancestors. He is a highly accomplished storyteller and old-time, bluegrass, and swing musician, playing nearly 20 instruments. His fiddling was featured in the movie Songcatcher and its soundtrack, and he has performed in all 50 states and throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia, gracing such stages as the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Grand Ole Opry. Josh was nominated for a Grammy for his 2009 release with David Holt, Cutting Loose.

Michael Reno Harrell

Michael Reno Harrell’s natural knack for storytelling stems directly from his roots in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, where storytelling is as much a part of the culture as its music. His original stories and songs intertwine seamlessly into narratives that demonstrate that we all share common emotions and experiences, and that nothing brings us together like a good laugh or a touch of nostalgia.