The National Storytelling Festival, now in its 34th year, traditionally is held the first weekend of October in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Anyone can tell a story, but to perform at the National Storytelling Festival, a professional storyteller might practice reciting a tale over the course of six months or more. Performance storytelling is as much an art as dancing, acting, or making music. The commitment and artistry can be seen and heard in this three-day festival devoted to the telling of traditional stories, multicultural folktales, and contemporary legends.

National Storytelling Festival
©2007 Tom Raymond, Fresh Air Photographics
Storytellers regale audiences wiith stories, folktales, and
legends at the National Storytelling Festival.

On Friday, the festival's kick-off day, a special tent features storytellers and stories particularly suitable for families and young people, and local schoolchildren are invited to come to listen. All ages, but especially kids, enjoy the Youthful Voices concert, where young storytellers between the ages of 5 and 18, who have been selected through a competitive process, share their finest tales.

One feature of the festival that young people find particularly delightful is the ghost story concerts that occur in a big, open-air park on Friday and Saturday nights. Audience members spread out on blankets to listen to five professional storytellers tell creepy tales.

National Storytelling Festival Information

Address: 116 W. Main St., Jonesborough, TN
Phone: 423/753-2171, 800/952-8392
Hours of Operation: First weekend of October
Admission: Full weekend, $155 adults; $135 kids

To learn more about family vacation destinations:

  • Family Vacations: Learn about hundreds of family vacations in destinations all over North America.
  • Tennessee State Guide: Learn more about the many family-friendly activities in Tennessee.
  • Scenic Drives: For those who think that getting there is half the fun, we have compiled more than 100 of the most scenic drives throughout the country.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Laura Sutherland is a widely acknowledged authority on family travel and has published several books on the topic, including Best Family Ski Vacations In North America and Tropical Family Vacations.