Mark your calendars for a day steeped in cultural flair and vibrant narration. The Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area is gearing up to welcome storytelling enthusiasts to the 33rd Annual Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival. Scheduled for September 20, from 10 AM to 10 PM ET, this event promises a blend of stories, music, and crafts, all set within the natural beauty of the Bandy Creek Visitor Center area. As noted in a statement obtained by SFist, this family-friendly festivity is not only a nod to Appalachian tradition but also a convergence point for world cultures—an aspect underscored by its diverse line-up of storytellers.
This year's featured voices bring a worldly touch to the Appalachian setting. Guests will enjoy performances from Karin Amano, who has dazzled crowds from the Epcot stage to cultural festivals nationwide with her traditional Japanese storytelling. Meanwhile, Norm Brecke is ready to exchange classroom walls for the great outdoors, guitar in hand, offering a mix of tales punctuated by laughter and music. They are joined by Tamara Green, who interlaces threads of African folklore and Southern history, and Anne Rutherford, whose tales oscillate between humorous anecdotes and spine-tingling ghost stories. These storytellers are not just performers but also preservers of a heritage that embraces humor and heart.
Beyond the tales, the festival celebrates the human voice's power to entertain and connect. As the National Park Service's announcement of the event describes, "from sunrise to moonlight, the festival will celebrate the enduring power of the human voice to entertain, teach, and unite." Such an occasion is not merely a cultural rendezvous but also an open invitation to anyone to grab a lawn chair or blanket, settle in, and immerse themselves in stories that promise to leave a lasting impression.
Additional details are available for more information on this expressive extravaganza. Inquiries can be made by calling (423) 569-9778 or visiting the official website. With no cost of admission, the festival is an accessible platform for families to experience the oral storytelling tradition, one that continues to weave an intricate web of narratives across generations, not unlike the storied hills in which they are set.
