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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:October 14, 2011 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Good Times, Great Stories at 23rd Annual Storyfest George West, TX (October 14, 2011)—Stories of all kinds, lies, music, and fun will abound in George West, the Storytelling Capital of Texas, when it hosts the 23rd annual George West Storyfest November 4-6. This year Storyfest is proud to host a new event on Friday, November 4, dedicated to Live Oak County-born and internationally-renowned folklorist J. Frank Dobie: “Dobie Dichos: Campfires, Chili con Carne, and the Words of J. Frank Dobie.” Ten prominent Texas storytellers and authors will take the stage at the Historic Oakville Jail to tell stories and read from the works of Dobie. A meal of chili and pan de campo will be served at 6:00 PM, with the stories and readings beginning at 7 PM. Tickets, pre-sale only, are $15 for adults, $7 under 12. Storyfest Saturday kicks off with a 5K Fun Run/Walk at 7:30. The festival grounds activities start at 10:00 AM with the sound of the George West High School band leading the famous Little Red Wagon Parade. Individuals and groups decorate wagons and pull them by hand on the festival grounds. Storytelling and music alternate on three stages, with continuous entertainment throughout the day and into the evening. Nationally renowned and top Texas storytellers Megan Hicks, Jay Stailey, Mary Grace Ketner, and others will fascinate audiences with stories ranging from folklore about Texas and around the world to home-grown tales, history, and more. Cowboys Dennis Gaines, John Campbell, and Lanny Joe Burnett will tell their tales in poetry form. Ghost stories spook all ages after dark in the Dobie/West Performing Arts Theatre. The Texas State Liar’s Contest © takes place at mid-afternoon. Texas State Champion Liar DeCee Cornish will be on hand to defend his title. A variety of music throughout the day will get your toes tapping and maybe even get you out of your seat dancing. This year’s musical entertainers are Gil Prather, Jim Jones, Lonestar Bluegrass Band, Owen Temple, Chano Cadena y Sus Conjuntos, Clifton Jansky, Fresca Uncion, and Riptide. Do some early Christmas shopping at arts and crafts booths. Eat tasty food like bar-b-que on bun, sausage wraps, and funnel cakes prepared by local nonprofit groups. Learn about flint knapping and visit with soldados, Mexican soldiers of the 1800’s, and Texian soldiers. Children can spend the day playing games, petting animals, and having fun in the Children’s Area, as well as learning about percussion in the Percussion Petting Zoo and being spellbound by magician David Gish. Car enthusiasts can vote on their favorite car on display at the Classic Car Show. Admission is FREE all day on Saturday! This year’s Street Dance from 9:00 -12:00 on Saturday night features The Pear Ratz, with Pake Rossi opening. Dance admission is $10. On Sunday morning, First United Methodist Church is this year’s host for Sacred Stories at 9:30. Everyone is welcome to listen in. So come to George West November 4-6 and be a part of the good times and great stories at George West Storyfest. Visit www.georgeweststoryfest.com for more information and directions. For up-to-the-minute information follow us on Facebook.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 17, 2011 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: The Words of Folklorist J. Frank Dobie Come to Life Under the hanging tree at the Historic Oakville Jail in Oakville, TX, George West Storyfest will launch a new event to its weekend of festivities. “Dobie Dichos: Campfires, Chili con Carne, and The Words of J. Frank Dobie” will feature 4 top Texas storytellers and 6 renowned Texas authors telling and reading stories from the works of J. Frank Dobie on Friday evening, November 4. Live Oak County born and raised, J. Frank Dobie realized the importance of collecting the stories, the folklore, of Texas and the Southwest. Dobie’s dedication to this endeavor brought national and international recognition to the stories of our region when he transformed these oral tales into the written word, ensuring they would not be lost with the folks who told them. The Storyfest committee created this event to recognize Dobie’s legacy and celebrate his works in the county in which he was raised. The evening begins at 6 pm with a dinner of chili con carne and pan de campo (chili and camp bread) with the musical entertainment of cowboy singer/songwriter Gil Prather. Bring your lawn chair, sit under the stars, and enjoy the tasty meal as you are serenaded by one of cowboy music’s best entertainers. At 7 pm the stories begin, hosted by playwright/screenwriter/novelist William Jack Sibley. Storytellers MaryAnn Blue, Donna Ingham, Mary Grace Ketner, and Larry Thompson and Texas authors Elizabeth Crook, Robert Flynn, Don Graham, Jan Reid, John Phillip Santos, and William Jack Sibley have selected their favorite Dobie tales to share. Following the performance, the storytellers and authors will be available for book signing. Tickets for this evening of Dobie tales and cowboy music can be purchased in advance by calling (361) 449-2481 or (888) 600-3121. Proceeds will benefit the restoration of the Dobie/West Performing Arts Theatre in downtown George West. For more information, visit our website at www.georgeweststoryfest.com.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 17, 2011 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Storyfest Right Around the Corner Preparations are underway for the 23rd annual George West Storyfest, scheduled this year for November 4-6. The committees are hard at work getting everything ready for yet another weekend of stories and fun. Storytellers, musicians, living history demonstrators and reenactors, and specialty acts are all booked and ready to come to Storyfest. The storytellers who will go out into the schools are anxiously awaiting Friday, November 4 to arrive. Tents and folding chairs are ordered, arts & craft and food booth applications are available, wagon parade entry forms are ready. The 5K route has been revised. The church for Sacred Stories has been selected. And the list goes on and on. Storyfest will have a new event on Friday night this year: “Dobie Dichos,” featuring the stories of J. Frank Dobie. A meal of chili con carne and pan de campo will be the prelude to stories and readings from the works of Dobie, perhaps the most widely-known person to have been born in Live Oak County. People who attend the event probably do not realize how much work goes into the festival every year. Indeed, the event would not happen at all if it were not for the hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm of the Storyfest Board of Directors and volunteers. This year’s Storyfest Board of Directors officers are Flo Moore, President; Julie Kaase, Vice-President; Cindi Robinson, Secretary/Treasurer. Jim McGee, Melaine Martin, Thad Reagan, and RaDonna Hajek constitute the remainder of the board members. Mary Margaret Campbell serves as Executive Director. Committee chairpersons are Thad Reagan, Grounds (Bo White, asst.); Diane Reagan, Drinks; Flo Moore and Melaine Martin, Sales & Information; Monte Jennings Food Booths (Cathy Ybanez, asst.); Mackey Alvarez, Stage Manager and Local Storytelling; Denise Garza, Arts & Crafts Booths; Jo Ann Palacios, Hospitality; Ralph Lopez, Stage Manager; Erica Salinas, Children’s Area; Kristy Keach, Texas State Liars’ Contest ©; Glynis Holm, Sacred Stories; Nikki McCain, Community Breakfast; Cindi Robinson, Decorations; Melissa Nance, Living History; Crickett Iley, Red Wagon Parade; RaDonna Hajek, Storytelling in the Schools; Charlie Sims and Jim Guthrie, Classic Car Show; Ann Snuggs, Artwork; Pam Woodmansee, Opening Ceremony; Kathy Moore, 5K Fun Run/Walk; Bill Sibley, Dobie Dichos; David Donaldson, Stage Manager; Dale Cavallin, Electricity; Dwayne Fannin, Photography/Videography; Colton Warren, Asst. Stage Manager; and Molly Young, Asst. Stage Manager. Storyfest, now in its 23rd year, continues to charge no admission on Saturday. While many festivals that began as free events have turned to charging admission, Storyfest has chosen to remain true to its original purpose: to provide a free, family-oriented storytelling festival for the citizens of George West, Live Oak County, and South Texas. But, it takes money—donations, sponsorships, and grants—to produce a festival the quality of Storyfest. The community continues to be very generous, as it has from the beginning of the festival, in donations of money, goods, and services. No donation is too small; the Storyfest board and volunteers appreciate whatever individuals and businesses are willing to contribute. Local and area corporations also continue to sponsor the event. Grant funding, however, is down due to the budget woes of our state and nation. Individuals and businesses interested in contributing to the success of the 23rd Annual George West Storyfest in any way and/or attending any of the festival events are encouraged to visit the festival website www.georgeweststoryfest.com or call (361) 449-2481 for more information. |
