Cracker Storytelling Festival
P.O. Box 122
Homeland, Florida, 33847

Cracker Storytelling Festival was approved and placed on the “approved field trip list”.  This event is recognized as a valued activity for Polk County Schools. We are pleased to be celebrating our 27th year and look forward to sharing this educational and entertaining time with you and your students. Storytelling is part of the curriculum for all grade levels and our tellers tell stories to all age groups.  Friday, October 9, 2015 is the day we have set aside for the schools to come and partake in this wonderful learning opportunity.  This event is local, instructional based as well as being very inexpensive. We have created study guides that will enhance this experience for both elementary and secondary level students.  They will be sent to the schools upon registration, along with additional information. 

Saturday October 10, 2015 is the day for the public as well as any students that would like to come with their families, the pricing is the same both days.  The 20th Whip Cracking contest will be on Saturday at 12:30, local contestants compete for trophies and cash prizes.  

We are seeking donations from local businesses to continue offering the bus money grants. We have a limited amount of donations at this time, but hope that we will receive additional funds in order to offer this assistance to schools.  As you register, let us know if you are interested and need assistance with the bus fees.  We will award the grants to as many schools as possible.

We are pleased to have a large number of Florida storytellers to bring you an exciting and entertaining day with your students: Carrie Sue Ayvar entertains listeners with her Spanglish style and tales from many cultures. Tamara Green uses vivid costumes and dramatic presentations to keep listeners on the edge of their seats. Mitchell O’Rear engages audiences with his dramatic storytelling; Pat Nease keeps listeners wide eyed with silly, willy, chilly stories. Mark Koruschak will take us into the past with their cow camp site demonstrations and tales of the past. Katie Adams weaves stories with her voice and movements, Robin Schulte tells unique stories in a unique way that will keep you spellbound and hanging on every word.  Cheryl Floyd uses Cajun traditions to weave great stories that will conjure up images and sounds unlike any other.  Kim Rivers and Nancy Crockford perform as Story Music.  Story music is live music intertwined with storytelling’s oral tradition. Nancy Crockford (musician) and Kim Rivers (storyteller) deliver performances of time-honored humorous classic folklore twisted, redecorated and customized for each audience. Judge Nelson Bailey will teach you about what made our state what it is…cracker heritage…history and more.  Judge Nelson Bailey is a true Cracker and he knows all about the real thing.  He is also a real live retired judge from Palm Beach County. Hank Mattson dressed in his cowboy attire will bring back the days of Cracking whips and rounding up cattle with his poetry and “Tvshka” Van V. Samuels a Native American descent will be telling Native American stories along with enchanting the audience with his Flute.
 
You can register now by returning the attached form to Terrie Sullivan at Library Media Services, Jim Miles PDC.  We are expecting a great turn out this year so don’t delay in registering. 

If you have any questions or concerns you may contact Terrie at 647-4716 or district 5 digit number 57955 or email her at terrie.sullivan@polk-fl.net

Respectfully
The Cracker Storytelling Committee