Cumberland County Public Library Hosts Free 17th Annual Storytelling Festival in March

Cumberland County Public Library will host its 17th annual Storytelling Festival March 1–31, 2026, free to the public across eight library locations as the system promotes literacy, encourages inclusion and sparks creativity for all community members. The 2026 theme, Enchanted Gardens, invites families to experience storytelling in garden-themed settings and, the library says, to explore cultural traditions through diverse storytelling mediums.

“There is something powerful about a room full of people completely captivated by a story,” said Cumberland County Public Library Director Heather Hall. “For children, that moment builds vocabulary, imagination and confidence. But more importantly, it builds joy. And when reading is joyful, it sticks. We’re excited to bring families together to celebrate storytelling in a way that’s fun, a little silly and deeply meaningful for growing young readers.”

This year’s festival will feature professional storytelling and performances by puppet masters who educate and entertain. Puppet Guy Productions presents Fee-Fi-Fo FUN!, a lively retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk “packed with humor, adventure and storytelling magic for all ages.” The production played Wednesday, March 4 at 10 a.m. at Cliffdale Regional Library, 6882 Cliffdale Road, and at 4 p.m. that day at West Regional Library, 7469 Century Circle. On Thursday, March 5 the show played at 10 a.m. at North Regional Library, 855 McArthur Road, and at 4 p.m. at Spring Lake Community Library, 101 Laketree Boulevard. Remaining performances are scheduled Friday, March 6 at 10 a.m. at Hope Mills Community Library, 3411 Golfview Road, and at 4 p.m. at the Headquarters Library, 300 Maiden Lane; and Saturday, March 7 at 10 a.m. at East Regional Library, 4809 Clinton Road, and at 2 p.m. at Bordeaux Community Library, 3711 Village Drive.

Families can also pick up a Dragon-themed Story Time Take & Make craft at youth services desks from March 10–16 while supplies last. The craft is designed for children and accompanying adults; adults must attend and be engaged with their child and drop-offs will not be permitted. For details about the take-and-make, call 910-483-7727, ext. 1459.

The Storytelling Festival is made possible by a $12,000 grant from the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County awarded in May 2025 and receives additional support from the North Carolina Arts Council, the City of Fayetteville, Cumberland County and other community partners. Promotional art for the festival features an aged parchment-style sign over a glowing fantasy garden and displays logos for Cumberland County, the North Carolina Arts Council, the Arts Council of Fayetteville–Cumberland County and the Cumberland County Public Library.

CCPL operates eight branches serving the county: Headquarters Library, 300 Maiden Lane; Cliffdale Regional Library, 6882 Cliffdale Road; East Regional Library, 4809 Clinton Road; West Regional Library, 7469 Century Circle; North Regional Library, 855 McArthur Road; Bordeaux Community Library, 3711 Village Drive; Hope Mills Community Library, 3411 Golfview Road; and Spring Lake Community Library, 101 Laketree Boulevard. For general inquiries about festival programming and the full March calendar, call the library at 910-483-7727. Through monthlong free programming across eight branches and targeted arts funding, CCPL aims to make storytelling a countywide, accessible resource through March 31, 2026.