FARMINGTON — Oh, the stories they will tell.

The Western Maine Storytellers Guild is hosting the Western Maine Storytelling Festival on Friday, July 20, and Saturday, July 21, in Farmington.

On Sunday, in South Carthage three Maine-based performers will tell the stories of the composition of their songs at Skye Theater Performing Arts Center in South Carthage.

It is the second annual festival, Guild member, Jane Woodman said Wednesday.

The Guild started meeting about two years ago and decided to put on a festival and it has grown into an annual event.

Featured storytellers are internationally recognized Judith Black of Marblehead, Mass., and Michael Cooper, known as the “Masked Marvel,” of Chesterville.

Not only will the featured storytellers tell stories and conduct workshops, the Western Maine Talkers will tell emergency services stories.

The events are open to the public with some of them costing a fee.

On Friday, Judith Black will conduct a workshop on “Telling Stories to Children” from 3 to 5 p.m. at the North Dining Hall at the Olsen Student Center at the University of Maine at Farmington. The cost is $15. During the two-hour session people come to see how storytelling, both traditional and original can address objects, drawing students from all learning-styles into engaged, powerful learning, according to the program details listed on www.wmsfestival.org.

From 7 to 8:30 p.m., Michael Cooper will do a storytelling performance “Masked Marvels and Wondertales: An evening of visual and verbal storytelling for the whole family” at the Emery Community Arts Center on the UMF campus between Academy and South streets in Farmington. The cost is $10/$5

On Saturday, Judith Black will present a “Family Storytelling Program,” a free event, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Farmington Public Library on Academy Street.

From 10 a.m. to noon, Cooper will put on a workshop “The Creative Act: Writing and Telling Your Own Stories” at the North Dining Hall at the Olsen Student Center at UMF. The cost is $15.

There will be a Storytelling Showcase with tales from some of northern New England’s finest performers from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Emery Center. It is free and open to the public.

After that event from 3:30 to 5 p.m., Western Maine Talkers will share their stories about their careers in emergency services. The event will be moderated by folklorist Peggy Yokum, a member of the festival board. Speakers are Tom Doak, Rob Lively, Scott Nichols, Carol Pillsbury and Joe Ross. This is free and at the Emery Center. Cooper also will talk about his father, veterinarian, Dr. E.L. Cooper of Chesterville. He will tell about his first memory of accompanying his father on a late night emergency calving story at the age of 5.

From 7 to 8:30 p.m., Black will do a storytelling performance “Esau My Son: a Parent’s Journey” and other stories at the Emery Center. The cost is $10/$5.

The Tale End, a teller reception and storytelling swap is from 9 to 11 p.m. at Thai Smile & Sushi Restaurant at 103 Narrow Gauge Square off Front Street in Farmington. No ticket is required, and it’s open to the public.

And at 7 p.m. Sunday, David Surrette, Susie Burke and Matt Shipman will present “Stories in Song” at Skye Theatre at 2 Highland Drive, South Carthage. The cost is $15/$5.

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