Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival

Timeless Tales, Music, & More! • September 19, 2026 • The White Home, Rock Hill, SC

Join us for the 25th Annual Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival! This beloved community tradition brings the art of storytelling to life with unforgettable performances by acclaimed national and local tellers. Enjoy a week of exciting pre-festival events, then come together on festival day for stories, music, hands-on activities, and family fun for all ages. This year's festival will again be hosted at The Historic White Home (258 E. White Street, Rock Hill, SC)

Admission and parking are free! Be sure to sample the delicious offerings from our participating food trucks. Friendly, leashed pets are welcome, but please note that alcoholic beverages are not permitted.

📌 Note for Attendees: Our 2026 schedule is actively being updated! Follow York County Library on social media or check back here regularly as we finalize stage times, food truck lineups, and craft table activities.

Schedule • Performers • Sponsors • Additional Information

Festival Event Schedule

Youth Visual Art Contest: Monday, August 3 – Monday, August 24, 2026

To celebrate Patchwork Tales, York County Library is sponsoring a Youth Visual Art Contest! All themes are welcome, and 2-D, 3-D, digital, and photography mediums will be accepted. To enter, drop off your artwork between August 3–24 at any YCL branch or email digital submissions to teenservices@yclibrary.org. Please include your name, age, art category, title of your work, phone number, and email address.

Prizes will be awarded for each age group and art category. First-place winners receive a $50 gift card, and second-place winners receive a gift basket! Be sure to join us on September 19 during the festival for a special art reception to recognize all participants and winners.

Age Groups: A) 7–9 years B) 10–12 years C) 13–15 years D) 16–18 years

Art Categories: Painting/drawing, photography, and sculpture/mixed media

Eligibility & Rules: Open to all students residing or attending school in York County, SC. Entries must be family-friendly and no larger than 12" x 12". Age groups for participants will be determined by their age on the date of submission. York County Library reserves the right to use, assign, modify, edit, adapt, dispose of, or electronically alter any entries. For more information or questions about artwork pickup, contact Teen Services.

Pre-Festival Week: Saturday, September 12 – Saturday, September 19, 2026

Sheila Arnold: Virtual Performances for All Ages

Sheila Arnold shares delightful tales online that the whole family can enjoy together.

Lona Bartlett: Senior Living Community & Adult Day Center Performances

Lona Bartlett presents special outreach performances for York County seniors. (By invitation only.)

Sheila Arnold & Andy Offutt Irwin: Elementary School Performances

Sheila Arnold and Andy Offutt Irwin present special performances for York County elementary school students. (By invitation only.)

Festival Day Lineup: Saturday, September 19

Crafts & Activities

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

10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. – Young Artist Reception: Celebrate the incredible talent of local youth with a showcase of creations from the Youth Visual Art Contest.

10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. – Face Painting: Let your imagination run wild with fun, colorful face painting for kids by Kristin's Kreations!

10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. – Sticker Scene Postcards: Design your own story card using hand-drawn scenes and fun stickers provided by Blue Goose Art Supply.

12:00–3:00 p.m. – Caricature Art: Take home a unique custom drawing by caricaturist Jerry Frazee.

12:00–4:00 p.m. – Live Violinist: Enjoy timeless classics and contemporary hits performed by a professional violinist from Deans' Duets.

1:30–4:00 p.m. – Balloon Art: Watch balloon sculptures come to life right before your eyes, created just for you by PB&J Entertainment!

3:00–4:30 p.m. – Quilting Demonstration: Enjoy beautiful quilt displays and live demonstrations presented by the York County Quilters Guild.

Festival Performances

Gather on the lawn outside The White Home for an incredible day of live storytelling, music, and interactive shows from our featured performers! Some folding chairs will be provided, but personal lawn chairs and blankets are also welcome.

All Day – Carlo Dawson: Stage Host & Festival Welcome
Award-winning author, storyteller, and Rock Hill Poet Laureate Carlo L'Chelle Dawson will guide us through the day, introducing performers, keeping the excitement flowing, and sharing a few stories of her own!

11:00–11:45 a.m. – DJ Pre-K: Let’s Get the Party Started!
Kick off the Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival with an interactive experience families won’t want to miss! Packed with music, movement, dancing, and audience participation, this set by DJ Pre-K blends high-energy hip-hop with meaningful educational content.

12:00–12:20 p.m. – The Dynamo Dogs: Show in the Corral
Watch as everything from hoop jumps and rolling barrel tricks to fast-action disc routines comes together to create a truly one-of-a-kind canine variety show.

12:30–1:15 p.m. – Carlo Dawson: Youth Visual Art Contest Winners
Festival Emcee Carlo Dawson announces the winners of the Youth Visual Art Contest, presenting awards to the first- and second-place artists in each age group and category.

1:20–2:05 p.m. – Sheila Arnold: Keepin' Heritage Alive
Enjoy engaging African American stories, songs, and sayings presented with plenty of fun and audience interaction.

2:10–2:55 p.m. – Andy Offutt Irwin: Al Hooray Was Cold That Day, the Day He "Upped" and Flew Away*
In this playful science program centered on atmospheric layers and aerostatic principles, Andy proves that a kid can truly become aeronautically buoyant! (Note: "Upped" is used here as the past tense of "up.")

3:10–3:25 p.m. – The Dynamo Dogs: Show in the Corral (Encore)
Join us for an encore performance of acrobatic canine action in this one-of-a-kind variety show!

3:35–3:50 p.m. – Kh’Mani Gilliam: Poetry for All
This year's Rock Hill Youth Poet Laureate presents original poetry reflecting on themes of growth and reality. Kh'Mani's work signifies the experiences we share and the lessons we learn together.

3:55–4:40 p.m. – Sheila Arnold: Locks Opened — Waterways to Freedom
Discover powerful stories showcasing how the Underground Railroad utilized water as a vital path from enslavement to freedom — a moving reminder of the importance of liberty.

4:45–5:30 p.m. – Andy Offutt Irwin: The Friends and Family of Aunt Marguerite
Meet Andy’s 85-year-old Aunt Marguerite, a newly minted physician embracing growth and love in the ever-changing New South, alongside the colorful characters who join her journey. Think Eudora Welty meets the Marx Brothers meets a Southern balladeer!

Performers

Carlo L'Chelle Dawson – Festival Emcee

Award-winning author, master storyteller, and City of Rock Hill Poet Laureate Carlo L'Chelle Dawson returns as our dynamic Patchwork Tales festival emcee! Known as an "edutainer," Carlo brings nearly 20 years of experience as a teaching artist, historic dramatic reenactor, and children's author. Her high-energy, interactive performances use story, poetry, and audience participation to inspire, educate, and uplift everyone she meets.

Sheila Arnold

Sheila Arnold, fondly known as "Ms. Sheila," is an internationally recognized story artist, historic character interpreter, and motivational speaker who has captivated audiences since 2003. A repeat Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center and a featured performer at the National Storytelling Festival, Sheila brings a warm, dynamic energy to every stage she steps on, weaving together rich historical narratives, engaging folktales, and inspirational stories for crowds of every generation.

Lona Bartlett

Lona Bartlett is a talented storyteller, puppeteer, and educator who has been enchanting audiences across the U.S. and abroad for over 30 years. Raised in the Catskill Mountains, she combines her love of small-town life, folklore, and handcrafted puppets to create unique and engaging performances for schools, libraries, and festivals. Whether sharing timeless fairytales or interactive puppet shows, Lona delights families and communities alike with her energy, warmth, and insight.

DJ Pre-K

DJ Pre-K is an educator, performer, and "edutainer" who transforms learning into an unforgettable experience through music, movement, and joy! With over a decade of classroom experience and a master’s in Educational Leadership, he blends high-energy hip-hop with meaningful educational content. DJ Pre-K creates interactive, rhythmic experiences where children sing, dance, feel celebrated, and discover the joy of learning.

The Dynamo Dogs

Led by veteran trainer Gail Mirabella, The Dynamo Dogs are a high-flying team of rescue and performing dogs that have wowed audiences nationwide — from the Ringling Bros. Circus to national TV! Featuring fast-action disc routines, acrobatic tricks, hoop jumping, and circus-style fun, this incredible canine variety show demonstrates the amazing bond between humans and their four-legged best friends.

Kh'Mani Gilliam

Kh'Mani Gilliam is a high school junior and National Honor Society member who uses poetry, writing, and visual art to express life, creativity, and community connection. As Rock Hill’s Youth Poet Laureate, Kh'Mani is dedicated to using her artistic voice to inspire change, uplifting her community through the power of story and spoken word.

Andy Offutt Irwin

With a silly putty voice, heart-filled humor, and world-class whistling, Andy Offutt Irwin brings a one-man show like no other — equal parts mischievous schoolboy, Marx Brothers, and Southern balladeer. One of the most sought-after storytellers in the country, Andy is best known for the unforgettable adventures of his fictional 85-year-old Aunt Marguerite. A perennial favorite at the National Storytelling Festival and 20-time Teller in Residence at the International Storytelling Center, Andy brings joy, wit, and wisdom to listeners of all ages.