Blog
Local Teller
Caleb Dardick
will tell local lore on Saturday morning- 9:30-10:00 am
Saturday, July 9th, 2022

Story Slam
The Story Slam
will be back on
Saturday, July 9 at 5:30 pm in the Schoolhouse.
This years theme is: COURAGE!
5 min. per story
The Sierra Storytelling Festival will hold the hugely popular Story Slam once more this year. It’s your chance to regale the crowd and compete in the art of storytelling for a prize, by telling your own true story that’s in accord with our Slam Theme. It’s a contest of words by talent both known and undiscovered, and anyone over age 18 can tell.
You as a slammer will enter the competition by dropping your name in a hat. Twelve names will be drawn.
You’ll have five minutes to tell the tale. Time your tale well. Points are lost if you pass the five minutes.
There will be a small team of judges, some professional storytellers, some not, made up of audience members.
Judges will make decisions based on these criteria: how well the story is told; how well the story is structured; how well the story explores, connects with, and/or reveals some truth about the theme; and how well the time limit is honored.
True stories are the medium here; poetry is discouraged unless it fits the criteria and tells a story. Folktales, myths or fables are discouraged unless, again, they are worked into the teller’s true story and fit the criteria. Copyright laws apply: Don’t use someone else’s work. Audience and judges expect real life adventures.
Props—including notes—are not to be used.
The winner is the lucky recipient of an All-Festival Pass to next year’s Sierra Storytelling Festival.

2022 Storytelling Festival!
Workshop with Michael D. McCarty
A Well Told Story: Historical, Personal, Folk Tales, whatever type of story you’re telling, you gots to tell it well. In this workshop you’ll find ways to tap into your story well and find the stories that you are born to tell. If you don’t know about the Story Bag you’re in for some serious fun. We will use the power of POP OPEN CARDS and a variety of other wild and crazy tidbits I use to find stories and assist others in doing so. We’re going to have a funky great time!!!
Tickets for the Workshop are sold separately HERE.
Friday, July 8th, 1:00-4:00 pm

35th Annual Storytelling Festival
Guest Teller: Obo Martin
Local Teller: Caleb Dardick
Saturday, Jul 9th at 9:30 am on the NEW amphitheater Stage
Hear the stories of a writer, activist and long time San Juan Ridge resident.
Story Slam!
This year’s theme is COURAGE
Saturday, July 9th at 5:30 pm in the Schoolhouse
The Sierra Storytelling Festival will hold the hugely popular Story Slam once more this year. It’s your chance to regale the crowd and compete in the art of storytelling for a prize, by telling your own true story that’s in accord with our Slam Theme. It’s a contest of words by talent both known and undiscovered, and anyone over age 18 can tell.
You as a slammer will enter the competition by dropping your name in a hat. Twelve names will be drawn.
You’ll have five minutes to tell the tale. Time your tale well. Points are lost if you pass the five minutes.
There will be a small team of judges, some professional storytellers, some not, made up of audience members.
Judges will make decisions based on these criteria: how well the story is told; how well the story is structured; how well the story explores, connects with, and/or reveals some truth about the theme; and how well the time limit is honored.
True stories are the medium here; poetry is discouraged unless it fits the criteria and tells a story. Folktales, myths or fables are discouraged unless, again, they are worked into the teller’s true story and fit the criteria. Copyright laws apply: Don’t use someone else’s work. Audience and judges expect real life adventures.
Props—including notes—are not to be used.
The winner is the lucky recipient of an All-Festival Pass to next year’s Sierra Storytelling Festival.
Win a gorgeous Quilt or a hand made salad set in the Raffle!
Grand Annual Raffle at dinner time on Saturday, July 9th. Get your tickets early!
Handmade Quilt by Mary Moore
Salad set by Holly Tornheim
2020 Handmade Quilt Raffle
Local Teller Showcase – Saturday Morning
Saturday, July 18th @ 9:30am – Local tellers showcase featuring a writer, activist and long time San Juan Ridge resident Caleb Dardick
Sierra Story Slam: Courage!- Saturday Afternoon

Saturday, July 18th @ 5:30pm
The Sierra Storytelling Festival will hold the hugely popular Story Slam once more this year. It’s your chance to regale the crowd and compete in the art of storytelling for a prize, by telling your own true story that’s in accord with our Slam Theme. It’s a contest of words by talent both known and undiscovered, and anyone over age 18 can tell.
This year‘s theme is Courage!
You as a slammer will enter the competition by dropping your name in a hat. Twelve names will be drawn.
You’ll have five minutes to tell the tale. Time your tale well. Points are lost if you lapse past the five minutes or go far into the one-minute grace period in wrapping up the story.
There will be a small team of judges, some professional storytellers, some not, made up of audience members.
Judges will make decisions based on these criteria: how well the story is told; how well the story is structured; how well the story explores, connects with, and/or reveals some truth about the theme; and how well the time limit is honored.
True stories are the medium here; poetry is discouraged unless it fits the criteria and tells a story. Folktales, myths or fables are discouraged unless, again, they are worked into the teller’s true story and fit the criteria. Copyright laws apply: Don’t use someone else’s work. Audience and judges expect real life adventures.
Props—including notes—are not to be used.
The winner is the lucky recipient of an All-Festival Pass to next year’s Sierra Storytelling Festival.
Open Telling – Sunday Morning

Sunday, July 21st @ 9:30am
First come, first serve! Sign up at the Raffle booth as soon as the festival starts.This Sunday morning session is an opportunity for up-and-coming storytellers to reach a seasoned audience with the spice of new stories.