Once Upon a Prairie Storytelling Festival Friday Oct. 16 6-8:30pm Vachel Lindsay Historical Home 603 S. Fifth St.

Saturday, Oct. 17 10am-2pm, 3-4pm, 6pm Old State Capitol Downtown Springfield 2-3pm Café Moxo 785-7960 Free

Tale telling

This weekend’s coming up stories and tales. Saturday at the Old State Capitol, storytellers include Anne Shimojima of Morton, who delights youth and adult audiences of all sizes with her graceful and spirited tellings of folktales from her Asian heritage and around the world; Linda Gorham, who inspires audiences by using movement, humor and sometimes zaniness as she tells imaginative multicultural folktales updated with attitude; and three-time Emmy Award-winning host of the CBS-TV show “Gator Tales,” Bobby Norfolk of St. Louis. At 6 p.m. he tells the story of Lincoln, the Civil War and the trials and triumphs of African Americans living in the shadow of slavery. The festival kicks off Friday night at the Vachel Lindsay Home, decorated for Halloween. Performers read from classic stories and poems of suspense. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served by lantern in the back garden. Suitable for middle school age and older, reservations are required for this session due to limited space. Call 524-0901. Cookies will also be served in a special children’s story time at Café Moxo on Saturday from 2-3 p.m.