The Yellow Springs Street Fair Storytelling Circle
Jonatha Wright Performing at the 2 PM story circle
The Next Story Circle will be in June of 2012 during Street Fair…
Written by Eric Wolf
At what point does an event become part of public life? When does it become expected that you just know that this will happen or that event, meeting or gathering will happen at a certain time or place? I like to think that there is certain tipping point when the group mind recognizes that what we are doing is a part of the common consciousness.
In Yellow Springs, Ohio, the town I live in, we have a street fair that is called “The Yellow Springs Street Fair.”
The fair has between ten and fifteen thousand people attending every 2nd Saturday in June and October weather permitting. For the past five years I have been trying to build a community storytelling event for young families during the fair at the local street fair. My local group, “The Yellow Springs Tail Spinners,” has been very patient with my obsession.
Here is a photo of the early arrivals saving their front row seats for the 2 PM show.
I had a booth in the street fair for several years – not really worth it. Then we tried street storytelling – like on the street – really hard stuff. Competing with the crowd and the foot traffic. That was exhausting – then we tried – announcing our circle – no real numbers. Then I tried giving out these little tickets – that brought some people – with an ongoing email list – Face Book page – you know…
This year we had the most attendees we have ever had before – but I didn’t so the email or social media blitz – just handed out cards. The photos of the 2 PM show about thirty but about ten more wondered in after I took these shots. The noon show is always smaller – 12 children and one adult.
My hope is that after years of pounding into the public mind that a storytelling circle is at these too times and places – noon and 2 PM that they will remember this from year to year.
Harold Wright performing at the story circle
The most mistic part of the whole organizing process is when I ring the bells and have two or three individuals run behind me ringing the bells as I run with the flag through the playground. Calling Story Time! Story Time! I feel like the pide piper all those children following me back to the storytelling tree.
There was something magical about the performance venue with the hum of the fair and the cool wind. I actually am suspicious that the nice moderate temperatures had more to do with the fact more children came then any other single factor. Next year I will do the social media, FB, Twitter and Email Reminders. I will be performing at the Talk Story Festival next fall during the October street fair.
If you want to get a reminder – which I will send next June for sure – please sign up too this local event mailing list for more information.
The Next Story Circle will be in June of 2012 during Street Fair…
Filed under: Article, Event on June 14th, 2011 | No Comments »
