Dwight D. Eisenhower was in the White House when the Hans Christian Andersen Storytelling Center began a summer storytelling series for children by the famous statue in Central Park. They’ve been at it ever since, sharing classic stories from Andersen and the world of folk and fairytales with generations of city’s children.

The tradition returns early June to mid-August with an eclectic mix of storytellers, classic Andersen fairy tales and folklore from around the world. Recommended ages 6 and up, the program is FREE. Enter Central Park at East 72nd Street. Look for updates on the summer schedule in weekly editions of Blast Off! or visit hcastorycenter.org.