Crowds gather in Jonesborough, Tennessee, to hear tellers from around the world during the National Storytelling Festival.
One of Jonesborough’s most beloved traditions, the National Storytelling Festival, celebrates its 51st year Oct. 6-8.
The festival takes over downtown Jonesborough from Oct. 6–8, with one, two, and three-day passes on sale. There is also a range of standalone ticketed events.
The International Storytelling Center, the nonprofit organization that produces the event, transformed Jonesborough into a vibrant hub for one of the world’s oldest art forms when it established the festival in 1973. Over decades, the festival has expanded to include multitalented artists representing diverse traditions, pushing the medium in new directions even as it preserves our collective past.
Dozens of featured storytellers comprise the core of the weekend’s offerings. The festival is programmed with a careful mix of fan favorites and new voices who represent diverse genres of storytelling. This year’s lineup includes deaf storyteller Peter Cook, who performs in American Sign Language; new voice Don Flemons, a Grammy Award-winning musician; international voice Deborah Newbold and Native American teller Gene Tagaban.
“The beauty of the festival format is that we can give people lots of options to customize their experience,” says Susan O’Connor, ISC’s director of programs. “Families and friends can explore the town together or split up and do their own thing. You can follow your favorite performers from tent to tent, or park in one seat for the day to see what happens. Thousands of people come here to Jonesborough to choose their own adventure, but we’re all here together in community. It’s just a special event.”
The festival offers flexible ticketing options for individuals and families. Admission for one of the most beloved festival traditions, al fresco Ghost Stories (Oct. 6 and 7, at 8 p.m.) in Mill Spring Park, is $10. Andy Offutt Irwin also hosts a standalone event for his late-night show Friday, Oct. 6, at 10 p.m.
There are also several standalone events and opportunities scheduled in the days leading up to the festival. Storytellers Regi Carpenter, Kevin Kling and Minton Sparks host workshops that are open to the general public Thursday, Oct. 5. (Pre-registration is required.) Donald Davis renews his annual tradition of a pre-festival storytelling concert Wednesday, Oct. 4. And Nashville-based musician Mary Gauthier plays the festival grounds Thursday, Oct. 5.
A wine and beer garden is available to relax and rest.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.storytellingcenter.net/festival or call 800-952-8392.
