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

Join Us for the 23rd Annual Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival!

The 23rd Annual Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival will once again bring stories to life! Experience the magic of storytelling through one-of-a-kind performances from national and local performers, as our community comes together to celebrate a time-honored tradition. Enjoy an exciting series of pre-festival events all week long, then join us September 21 at The White Home in Rock Hill for a full day of stories, music, and more!

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 one of our participating food trucks. Please note that alcoholic beverages are prohibited. See below for more information, performers, and a full schedule of events.

Pre-Festival Event Schedule

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

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York County Library Youth Visual Art Contest

In celebration of Patchwork Tales, York County Library is sponsoring a Youth Visual Art Contest! 2-D, 3-D, digital art, and photography entries will be accepted. To enter, drop off your art between August 12–30 at any YCL branch or submit it online at yclibrary.org/ask-a-ya-librarian. Please include your name, age, title of your work, phone number, and email address. Winners will be announced September 16, and an art reception will be held September 21 at the festival. 

 

  • Prizes: First-prize winners will receive a $50 gift card, and second-prize winners will receive a gift basket! Prizes will be awarded for each age group.

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

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  • Eligibility and Rules: All students living or attending school in York County, SC, are invited to participate. Participant’s age on the date of submission must be given to determine the age category. Entries must be family-friendly. York County Library reserves the right to use, assign, modify, edit, adapt, dispose of, or electronically alter entries.

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Monday, September 16, 2024

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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.

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

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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.

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

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Friday, September 20, 2024

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Josh Goforth: School Performances

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

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Festival Events

 

Saturday, September 21, 2024

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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.

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

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  • 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.

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

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  • 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.

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

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

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  • 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.​​​

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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.​

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  • 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!​

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  • 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.​​
     

  • 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!

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  • 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.
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  • 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.
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  • 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.

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

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

York County Library is able to bring the Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival to the community for free thanks to our generous sponsors, whose financial donations, goods, and services help make the festival possible.  

Presented By

York County Library
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Contributors

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Participating food truck vendors for 2024 include Frios Gourmet Pops, Roam Local, and Surefire Mobile.

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For additional information on the Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival, contact:

York County Library Children’s Services Department: (803) 981-5888
York County Library Marketing Department: (803) 981-5864

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Downloads

2024 Patchwork Tales Flyer • Youth Visual Art Contest Flyer

Schedule
Performers
Sponsors
Additional Information
Food Trucks
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