About Us

The Kansas Storytelling Festival brings world renowned storytellers to the State every spring. Visitors enjoy these tremendous talents all located within the quaint and quiet rural town of Downs, KS. While Downs isn't known for it's size, we are known for our hospitality, heart, and small town charm.

Festival History

The Kansas Storytelling Festival started in 1994 as the vision of local citizens in conjunction with the Downs Arts Council. The Downs Arts Council mission is "to enhance the quality of life in our rural area" and the Kansas Storytelling Festival was a great step in meeting this mission.

Since the early days, the festival has continued to grow every year and the Kansas Storytelling Festival committee has been able to sign more well known names each year. The Kansas Storytelling Festival is made possible each year by a dedicated group of volunteers who coordinate the event, the entertainment, and the business of the Kansas Storytelling Festival. The committee functions underneath the guidance of the Downs Arts Council Board.