By Alaina Denean Deshazo
The Selma Times-Journal

Selma’s 38th annual Tale Tellin’ Festival was back in full swing with the first night of storytellers entertaining a crowd Friday night at ArtsRevive.

The festival was started by the late Kathryn Tucker Windham, and is put on in her honor.

“I think it’s a good family event that all ages can come to and enjoy,” said Cora Smith who was in attendance Friday night. “I always enjoy it.”

The night opened with the Swappin’ Ground, where the audience got to participate and tell some of their own stories.

Soon after the Swappin’ Ground, storytellers Pat Nease, Norton Dill and Suzi Whaples told their stories to a laughing audience.

“When I finally came to one, I was hooked on it. It was just too much fun,” said Sandy Greene, a board member for ArtsRevive.  “It was wonderful, and we’ve always had wonderful storytellers.”

Greene said it’s because of Windham that the festival is as successful as it is.

“It’s marvelous. She gave it to us in other words,” Greene said. “We were very close to her and we miss her immensely. She was just marvelous and we were lucky to have her in Selma and we’re lucky to keep this going in her memory.”

Smith said that keeping the festival going is a great way to honor Windham and all that she did for the arts community in Selma.

“I think it’s very important [that the event continues]. People all over the nation know the name Kathryn Tucker Windham, and we’re just proud to have her here from Selma,” Smith said. “It’s good just seeing the people from Selma come out and support Tale Tellin’.”

Greene said getting the support from Selma is vital, but the event also attracts people from other cities.

“We get an awful lot of people from Selma, and what’s good is we bring [in] people from outside of Selma. It gives an opportunity to people outside of Selma to see Selma,” Greene said.

“They come for this, but then they may go eat at one of our restaurants or look around and see what we have to offer in Selma. It’s good tourism.”

Tale Tellin’ continues Saturday with Nease, Dill and Whaples as the main storytellers at 7 p.m. Another Swappin’ Ground will take place at 6 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door and are $15 for adults and $10 for students with ID and free for children under 6. The special family rate for two adults and two children under 18 is $30.