Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival

Picture this: It's a crisp September morning, and the sun begins its ascent over the scenic Bandy Creek Field. The stage is set for a day that promises to captivate your imagination and ignite your creativity. On Saturday, September 20, 2025 the Storytelling Festival returns to the stunning Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and you're invited to be part of this enchanting experience.

Join thousands of fellow festival-goers as we transform this picturesque setting into a vibrant tapestry of stories, music, crafts, and more. Stroll through an array of engaging craft classes and experience exhilarating concerts, all completely free and open to the public. This is your chance to immerse yourself in a day brimming with artistic expression and community spirit.

But the magic doesn’t stop there. Leading up to the festival, our outreach programs bring dynamic storytelling to local schools, where students eagerly engage with world-renowned storytellers. It’s a unique opportunity for them to experience the power of storytelling firsthand before joining us at the festival.

So, mark your calendars and make your plans now. The Storytelling Festival is more than an event, it’s a celebration of creativity and community you won’t want to miss!

 

 

Event Schedule

Coming Soon!

 

The Featured Storytellers for 2025

 

Karin Amano

Karin Amano

Originally from Japan, Karin was trained in Japanese traditional song, dance, and theater. In 1991, she moved to New York City to study Educational Theater at NYU and performed in off-off-Broadway productions. She was a full-time storyteller and actor at Walt Disney World for 11 years, where she still performs annually at Epcot’s Japan Pavilion for the International Festival of the Holidays. She has been telling Japanese folktales in various settings, including cultural festivals, schools, and libraries throughout the U.S.

 

Norm Brecke

Norm Brecke

Before becoming a full-time storyteller, Norm Brecke was an award-winning teacher. Norm’s playful and frequently laughter-peppered tales come from many traditions, be they folktales, personal, historical, scary, or original stories. He often sings and accompanies himself on guitar as well. Norm has performed in festivals across America, most recently at the 2024 Kansas Storytelling Festival. He and Anne Rutherford were tellers-in-residence in Jonesborough, TN, in 2023. He’s written a children’s book, The Man Who Loved Dragons and co-authored 52 Story Jokes: Anyone Can Tell and 52 Animal Story-Jokes: Anyone Can Tell with Anne. His 2020 CD, The Rough Edge of the Ocean, was an award-winner. Online, he co-produces quarterly Good Liars Club Shows and is a member of the TBD Storytellers group.

 

Tamara Green

Tamara Green

Raised in Memphis and rooted in Odessa, Florida, Tamara Green is a master storyteller who discovered her passion through the vivid tales shared by her father. What began as daily storytelling grew into a lifelong mission to inspire, entertain, and foster empathy through narrative.With a love for African folklore, urban tales, spooky stories, Florida legends, and history, she crafts performances that resonate with audiences of all ages. As an educator and mentor, she’s led workshops and guided young storytellers to national stages, including the National Storytelling Showcase in Utah.Her storytelling has been featured at major festivals and institutions such as the Zora Neale Hurston Festival, Miami Book Fair International, Cracker Storytelling Festival, and universities across Florida. Wherever she speaks, she brings laughter, insight, and a deeper connection to the shared human experience.

 

Anne Rutherford

Anne Rutherford

Raised between a graveyard and a cow pasture, Anne Rutherford developed a love for spine-tingling tales, quirky characters, and a good laugh. She’s an award-winning storyteller known for her funny and heartfelt performances that blend personal adventures, West Coast folklore, and prize-winning tall tales. A five-time champion of the Northwest Folklife Liars Contest, Anne’s stories ring true, even when they’re full of malarkey.

 

Musicians Weaving Stories

 

Musicians at a previous Storytelling event.

NPS

Experience an exhilarating lineup of live performances that showcase the incredible talent of our region. From the soulful strains of bluegrass to the rich, evocative melodies of traditional Appalachian tunes, our diverse array of genres will captivate and inspire. Each performance is a celebration of both our deep-rooted heritage and the vibrant evolution of our local music scene.

Enjoy a continuous flow of enchanting music from the Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club, whose unique sound will fill the air throughout the day. Don’t miss their engaging workshop at the visitor center porch, where you can immerse yourself in the joy of making music alongside talented musicians.

As the day unfolds into evening, the energy ramps up with the Arnold Stephens Band delivering a high-octane performance that will keep you on your feet. And as night falls, let the emotive melodies of acoustic artist Gerald Handwright take you on a powerful musical journey, creating unforgettable moments that celebrate our community and culture.