The Earl Goodwin Theater at Wallace Community College Selma was full of people Friday night as they piled in to hear stories at Alabama’s 37th annual Tale Tellin’ Festival. The event was founded by the late Kathryn Tucker Windham.

“We have three wonderful tellers this year,” said Martha Lockett, executive director of ArtsRevive. “Bil Lepp, who has won five Liars Championships, is here for his second time. Wanda Johnson, who was mentored by Kathryn Windham, is here for her second year. And then Kim and Reggie Harris, who are Kennedy Center trained artists and professional performers, are here.”

One guest, Sandra Chestnut, has known about Windham and her stories for quite some time, but this was the first year that she has been able to make the festival.

“My neighbor used to be Kathryn Tucker Windham. I heard a lot about her, and I knew every Halloween she would do a storytelling at her home. My kids when they were younger, they would go down there trick-or-treating,” Chestnut said. “But I myself never had an opportunity to hear her storytelling. I’m very excited, this is my very first one.”

Lockett said the festival might sound different to people who have never been, but one they go, they’ll understand.

“The stories are absolutely wonderful. You have different facts, but the human story is the same thing. It’s always there — that thread line throughout the story. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, you’re going to realize that in every culture humans are humans, and we all have the same needs,” Lockett said. “It’s just fun. It’s a really relaxed, joyous evening. There have been nights where we’ve done this when it actually becomes magical. You can actually feel the energy in the room. We always say that’s when Kathryn shows up.”

Saturday is the last night for the event, and it will begin at 6 p.m. with the Swapin’ Ground. The main acts will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students and free for children under 8.