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The Azalea Story Telling festival has hosted its annual festival in March for more than two decades. Due to COVID-19, a festival will occur this weekend, but with only one storyteller, strict safety protocols and options to stream the show. 

They’re calling it “Donald Davis – Stories From The Azalea, v.24.5,” with plans to hold a proper 25th anniversary celebration next year.

In a normal year, the festival would take place at LaGrange College’s Callaway Auditorium (capacity — 770), span a whole weekend and feature four storytellers

LSPA’s Carol Cain is emcee for the events, and John Beyers of First UMC will welcome the guests. Pre-recorded cameo appearances will also feature three storytellers who plan to perform at the 2022 festival — Ed Stivender, Kevin Kling and Josh Goforth.

About 100 people will be allowed to attend each show. Guests must wear masks the entire time. They will have their temperatures checked upon entry and be escorted to their seats.

People from the same pod, such as family members that live together, can sit together, but each pod will be socially distanced. The plan is for seating to be pre-assigned based on these pods, so that people can be escorted to their seats before the show. If you ordered one of Davis’ CDs or books, it will be waiting on your seat, already autographed. Programs will also be on seats. 

Tickets can be purchased at LSPArts.org or by calling (706) 882-9909. Tickets for the 2 p.m. show are $20 per person; tickets for the 7 p.m. show are $25 per person. 

The 2 p.m. show will be one hour; the 7 p.m. show is 1.5 hours.

A $40 ticket for both shows is also available. 

The festival has also incorporated options for people to watch at home. A $20 ticket will give you access to a livestream of both shows. They can be watched live and are available for three days after, similar to a movie rental. The videos will remain on the festival’s website, so you could even buy the livestream through June and access it for a three-day period.