The Festival Schedule is Currently being finalized! Below is an evolving *draft* of what to expect
Festival Locations are:
Owl Glass Puppetry Center (OG) 319 N. Calhoun Street*
New Strand Theatre (NS) 111 E. Third Street
Ron de Voo Park (RdV) – outdoor “pocket park” with stage right beside the New Strand Theatre
United Methodist Church (UMC) 113 E. Fifth Street
WeLead (WL) 119 E. Third St.
Note: The Festival Store and Exhibit (hours tba) will be at Brick Street Gallery 116 E. Third Street
*OWL GLASS PUPPETRY CENTER is the main designated “hang out location” for the festival. Other downtown locations (such as the library, West Liberty Foods or other restaurants) are closeby and will also be open during their normal business hours – check your program for community information
Thursday September 10th
REGISTRATION and WELCOME starting at 1:00 PM (OG)
Get your festival pass, sign up for workshops, sign up for the slam, meet friends, do a fun activity….
3:00 PM showing The Best of The 48 Hour Puppet Film Project 2026 at New Strand Theatre (NS)
5:00 PM Dinner Provided (UMC)
8:00 PM Coop! by Swander Woman Productions, performed by Rip Russell (UMC)
Friday September 11th
8:30-9:45 AM Workshops – Slot I (all workshops at UMC and WL)
10:00-11:00 (NS) The Tale of the Dragon’s Tail by Art Grueneberger of Puppet Art Theatre Co
11:10-12:25 Workshops – Slot II
12:25-1:15 Lunch (on your own)
1:15-2:00 (NS) Shiver Me Paintbrush by Matthew Hawkins of What If Puppets
2:15-3:30 Workshops – Slot III
3:45-5:00 Workshops – Slot IV
5:30-7:00 Dinner Provided (UMC)
7:00 (NS) Calle Allende by Pinned & Sewtured
8:00 (RdV) (rain location OG) Puppet Slam!
Saturday September 12th
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Children’s Festival!
Calhoun Street and 3rd Street are closed – enjoy food and fun with the town of West Liberty
(lunch Saturday on your own)
Children’s Festival Outdoor Performances (RdV)
10:15 Earl the Pearl Rules the World by Cripps Creations
11:00 How I learned to Fly by Calliope Puppets
12:00 The Queen of Hearts by Corcoran Puppets
1:00 Punch and Judy by Puppetfolk Productions
2:00 TBA
3:00-late Fiesta Latina street festival on Third Street and Spencer
live bands, dancing, food & drinks…the works
5:15 Great Plains Region of Puppeteers of America Meeting (UMC)
6:00 Dinner Provided
7:30 (UMC) A Wild Goose Chase by Matt Sandbank’s Shadow Factory
8:30 (UMC) Tales of ᏓᎦᏏ Dagsi Turtle & ᏥᏍᏚ Jisdu Wabbit by Z Puppets Rosenschnoz
Sunday September 13th
8:00-10:00: Farewells & morning snack (OG)
10:30 (NS) short opener A Selkie Story by Buffy Quintero of Peddling Puppets
11:00 (NS) What Does it Do by Blaqueberry Puppets