2010 FAQs

1. What is the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival?
2. What is storytelling?
4. Where are Festival events held?
5. How do I get to the Festival?
6. Where can I park?
7. How do I get tickets?
8. Why are ticket prices so high?
9. How can I get involved in the Festival?
10. How many people will be at the Festival?
11. What time should I arrive at the SCERA Shell for evening events?
12. Are there chairs at the SCERA Shell?
13. Will there be food at the Festival?
14. I have a large group of family and friends that would like to attend the Festival. Do you offer any discounts?
15. Who may purchase a family full event pass?
16. Do I have to carry my ticket with me wherever I go?
17. What is included in the full event pass?
18. How do I get university credit for attending the Festival?

1. What is the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival?

Since 1990, the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival has grown to one of the largest and most prestigious storytelling events in the nation. It began as a two-day event in Ashton Gardens showcasing three nationally-known storytellers, and has grown—by its 20th anniversary in 2009—to include 12 nationally-known storytellers performing and giving workshops for three days and nights, and bringing more than 30,000 listeners to its events.

The TSF Summer Festival takes place at the end of summer among the tents and pavilions of Mt. Timpanogos Park near Orem, Utah. Storytelling performances occur every hour in all six air-conditioned tents, and attendees may use the printed program to create their own schedule.  Listeners flock from across the nation to hear their favorite storytellers perform, to learn the art and finesse behind storytelling, to listen to the sweet sounds of folk music, to laugh and enjoy fine puppetry, mimes and jugglers, and to sample finger-licking festival food.

TSF also hosts a number of other events throughout the year, including the annual Midwinter Conference, a two-day collection of workshops, symposia, keynote addresses and, of course, storytelling performances.

2. What is storytelling?

Storytelling is an ancient art form, predating written history, which conveys ideas, life stories, cultural tales and folklores, and historical events. It comes in innumerable forms, from family reminiscences over holiday gatherings, to training at business meetings, to musical performances. As with other fine arts, storytelling goes beyond entertainment and plays roles in the humanities, personal and community healing, education, religion, and a number of business and legal settings.

At the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, storytellers are selected from the finest national professionals with experience teaching and performing to audiences of all ages and backgrounds. These tellers perform personal tales laced with laughter and heart, historical retellings, folk tales, musical tales and everything in-between. No matter the length of the story—a few minutes or an hour—these stories are filled with insight and enjoyment for all who listen.

3. Who may attend Festival events?

With the exception of Bedtime Stories, Festival events are designed for adults, teens, and children ages 8 and older. Though we do not recommend bringing toddlers or babes in arms, attendees wishing to do so are asked to sit at the outer edges so they may more easily attend to a restless or fussy child. Though parents may be used to listening over the babbling and crying of their children, others in the performance tent are not and will find it very distracting. Tent managers may ask those with fussy children to take them far enough away that they will not disrupt other listeners.

4. Where are Festival events held?

All Festival events take place at locations in Orem, UT. The main Festival daytime events will take place at Mt. Timpanogos Park in Provo Canyon. Thursday workshops will take place at the Orem Library, located on the corner of Orem State Street and Center Street (58 N. State St.). The evening events My Favorite Stories and Laughin’ Night will take place at the SCERA Shell, an outdoor theater located in SCERA Park at 699 S. State St.

5. How do I get to the Festival?

Those coming from out of state should fly into the Salt Lake International Airport and travel south on I-15 until the Orem exits. To reach Mt. Timpanogos Park, travel east on Orem 800 North and follow the road north into the canyon.

6. Where can I park?

Due to limited parking at Mt. Timpanogos Park, only those with handicap permits and cars with 4 or more people will be permitted to park on-location. An adjacent park, Canyon View, has limited additional parking on Thursday evening, Friday after 1:30 p.m. and all day Saturday, but this fills quickly. However, there are 3 large church parking lots where attendees can park and ride free shuttles to the Festival location. Shuttles run every 15-20 minutes beginning at 5:30 p.m. Thursday and 8:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday until the end of the last event.

Lot Addresses:
810 East 600 North, Orem
766 East 1200 North, Orem
4775 North 300 West, Provo (across Riverwoods shopping center)

There are no shuttles to the SCERA Shell, but attendees may park in the streets surrounding SCERA Park.

7. How do I get tickets?

The easiest way to get tickets is to order through the online store. Those without internet access may order by phone at (801) 229-7436. You will need to provide your credit card number, e-mail address, and other contact information, as we will use the online system to enter your information for you. You are also welcome to purchase tickets before the event at the Orem Library at 58 N. State Street in Orem, or at the door of the events themselves. With the exception of Workshops, events will not sell out beforehand and tickets will be available at the door.

Please note that if you have ordered tickets online or over the phone after August 25, 2010, you will not receive these in the mail. Tickets ordered after this date will be held in Will-Call under your name and may be picked up at the Orem Library before the Festival, or on location during the event.

8. Why are ticket prices so high?

The Festival is known for featuring the best storytelling talent in the nation along with some of the finest Utah musicians. Every effort is made to offer a variety of quality entertainment each Festival. We think there is something for everyone and that the Festival is rather unique.

Thanks to the Festival’s generous Sponsors, Festival attendees are able to enjoy significantly reduced ticket prices. All in all, there are 28 hours of performances at the Festival, many hours with multiple performances at a time. Those purchasing full event passes are paying only $1.43 per hour, and those purchasing family passes pay only $0.60 per hour, which is far less than covers the cost of the Festival without the help of generous sponsors and volunteers. Each year, thousands of donated dollars and volunteer hours help make this top-quality Festival an affordable, family-friendly event.

We hope you will find it an excellent value for the cost.

9. How can I get involved with the Festival?

The Festival is always happy to accept volunteers and sponsors. If you would like to support the Festival, please visit our Sponsorship and Volunteer pages.

10. How many people will be at the Festival?

In past years, as many as 30,000 people have attended the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival events. Some events will have much higher attendance than others; Laughin’ Night fills to the bursting point every year, so arrive early for a seat!

11. What time should I arrive at the SCERA Shell for evening events?

For performances beginning at 8 p.m., the ticket office will open at 6 p.m. and the gates will open at 6:30 p.m. Live music will begin at 7 p.m. Naturally, better seats go to those arriving early.

12. Are there chairs at the SCERA Shell?

There are special chairs at the SCERA designed for the slope of the outdoor theater. These are provided by the Festival free on a first-come basis. Those interested in these seats must arrive early to secure them. You are welcome to bring your own chairs, but they will likely not work well due to the incline. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets to sit on.

13. Will there be food at the Festival?

There will be a number of food vendors at Mt. Timpanogos Park selling top-quality meals and treats. Visit our Food page for information about this year’s food vendors. There are also snacks for sale at the SCERA Shell. You may also bring your own food to the event. There will be tables, pavilions and grassy areas available throughout Mt. Timpanogos and adjacent Canyon View Parks for picnicking.

14. I have a large group of family and friends that would like to attend the Festival. Do you offer any discounts?

The Festival offers group deals of $1 off each evening concert ticket for groups of 30 or more, and 10% off event passes for groups of 15 or more. Make it a family reunion!

15. Who may purchase a family full event pass?

Family full event passes are intended for up to six related individuals of the same household. When the ticket is presented, it will be exchanged for six wristbands, so members do not have to attend all events at the same time. 

16. Do I have to carry my ticket with me wherever I go?

No. When you arrive at your first festival event, your ticket will be exchanged for a wristband (or wristbands in the case of a family pass) which will allow you to enter the designated events.

17. What is included in the full event pass?

The full event pass includes entrance to both morning and afternoon events at Mt. Timpanogos Park on Friday and Saturday. It also includes entrance to Look Who’s Talking and Bedtime Stories at the Park and My Favorite Stories and Laughin’ Night at the SCERA Shell. It does not include any workshops. Those require separate registration and fees.

18. How do I get university credit for attending the Festival?

University credit is available through Brigham Young University. Candidates may receive 1 credit in Elementary or Secondary Education (514R) by completing the required work and paying a fee. Visit the University Credit page for more information.