Azalea Storytelling Festival, 133 Main Street, LaGrange, GA (2026)

The Azalea Storytelling Festival began as a dream concept of three local LaGrange women…Pat Gay, Public Relations/Children’s Librarian and storyteller at LaGrange Memorial Library; Evelyn Jordan, Chairman of the LaGrange College Education Department; and Joyce Morgan-Young, Assistant Superintendent with the Troup County School System. Assisted by storyteller Donald Davis, their dream became a real

ity in March of 1997. The first annual Azalea Storytelling Festival presented nationally known tellers Donald Davis, Ed Stivender, and Kathryn Tucker Windham. The Azalea Storytelling Festival has been recognized as one of the oldest such festivals in the state of Georgia. It has been identified by the Southeastern Tourism Society as a premier event in our area. The festival received the 1999 Leadership Award from the National Storytelling Festival Association as well as recognition by the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Held the first weekend in March of every year, the Azalea Storytelling Festival generally draws over 2000 visitors. Thanks to performances by acclaimed tellers as well as the generosity of our sponsors, and the diligent work of the festival committee and community, Azalea has become a major tourism event for our area. Storytellers want to encourage others to join the community of storytellers and listeners. Our Azalea Storytelling Committee is still very centered on offering a great festival the first weekend in March each year but has now expanded its focus to the creation of other events held locally all year. “A Taste of Storytelling” is a partner project with the Friends of the Library group at Lagrange Memorial Library each February. “Stories With Friends” is a casual gathering for anyone wanting to practice a story in development or hear stories and cheer others on. Celebrating its tenth anniversary this fall is a joint event with Hills & Dales Estate - “Stories in the Garden”. This free storytelling performance, featuring well-known regional tellers, is held in the pecan grove of the Hills & Dales Estate gardens on a Sunday afternoon in October. Also hosted at Hills & Dales Estate by the Azalea Committee each July since 2016, is a week-long Donald Davis Storytelling Workshop. We are excited about our history, and our innovations allowing the festival, and related storytelling events to continue in these extraordinary times and our future. This brief account cannot end without a big thank you to the Lafayette Society for Performing Arts (LSPA), the sponsoring organization for performing art groups in LaGrange, Georgia including the Azalea Storytelling Festival. LaGrange is blessed to have strong support for our performing and visual arts community.

05/30/2026

Nice article from LaGrange Daily News!📰🌸✨

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CkxvckmGL/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Azalea Storytelling Festival has split from LSPA to become independent Azalea Storytelling, Inc., expanding year-round events as it prepares for its 30th annive...

05/25/2026

🌺 Memorial Day 🌺

Today, we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Let’s make sure we share their stories, speak their names, and carry their legacy forward.

May we never forget. ❤️🤍💙

05/22/2026

We’re excited to officially share that our NEW website is now LIVE! 🌸✨

As we continue growing and entering this new chapter as Azalea Storytelling, Inc., our website will be your home for event announcements, tickets, updates, and everything storytelling.

🌿 Explore the new site: azaleastorytelling.org

And while you’re there…

🎻🎶 Tickets are ON SALE NOW for A Night with Josh Goforth & Michael Reno Harrell!

🐣Early Bird- General Admission: $40
🤑July 1st tickets go up to $45
🤝Meet and Greet Add-On: $15

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, stories, laughter, and Appalachian tradition featuring two incredible performers. Whether you’re a longtime fan or experiencing them for the first time, this is a night you won’t want to miss.

🎟️ Get your tickets today before they’re gone!

05/21/2026

🥳Happy Birthday to our very own Joyce Morgan-Young!

Today we’re celebrating a woman who needs no introduction… but we’re going to brag on her anyway😉

🌱🌿🌸Joyce is not only one of the founders of the Azalea Storytelling Festival, but she is also one of the people whose vision, passion, and determination helped plant the seeds that have grown into what Azalea is today.

🩷❤️🩷For years, Joyce has been welcoming audiences, building community, championing storytelling, creating traditions, solving problems before anyone else notices them, and reminding us all that stories truly do connect us.

👒🎩🎓👑She has worn more hats than we can count, and she’s done it all with grace, humor, and a whole lot of heart. (And if you’ve ever worked an event with Joyce, you know she somehow always knows exactly what needs to happen next. )

🌸As Azalea enters this exciting new chapter as Azalea Storytelling, Inc., we’re especially grateful for the people who helped build the foundation, and Joyce’s fingerprints are all over this story.

🎂✨Please join us in wishing her the happiest of birthdays! Drop your favorite memory, story, or birthday wishes in the comments below.

🤩😎Happiest of Birthday, Joyce!

05/17/2026

Join us for Stories with Friends TODAY from 2pm–4pm at Fellowship Hillside! ☀️🐝🌼

This free, family-friendly community gathering is open to everyone, whether you’re an experienced storyteller, trying it for the very first time, or simply want to come listen and connect with others.

Stories with Friends is all about building community through storytelling, laughter, memories, and meaningful conversation. We’d love to see new faces and returning friends alike!

📍 Fellowship Hillside
250 Hills and Dales Farm Rd.
LaGrange, GA 30240

Bring a story, bring a friend, or just bring yourself. 💛

Address

133 Main Street
Lagrange, GA
30240

Telephone

+17068829909

Website

http://azaleastorytelling.org/

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Azalea Storytelling Festival