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 19, 2026 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!

 

 

The Featured Storytellers for 2026

 

Amanda Lawrence

Amanda Lawrence

Amanda Lawrence is an award-winning storyteller from the mountains of north Georgia. She grew up in a family of storytellers and enjoys sharing the adventures of her colorful relatives as well as tall tales and folk and fairy tales in schools and libraries and on festival stages. Ghost stories—especially the true ones—are her special favorites because they not only provide chills and thrills but also give us a safe space in which to experience the full range of human emotions. Amanda is a regular teller of Appalachian lore at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, North Carolina, and has shared stories at events across the country, including the Women’s Storytelling Festival, Florida Storytelling Festival, National Storytelling Network Conference, and the Atlanta Fringe Festival, where she recently performed her solo show of Southern ghost stories: That Haint Right. She also leads workshops on storytelling as a form of healing and co-founded and directs the Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival because she believes in the power of stories to create community and transform lives.

 

Bobby Norfolk

Bobby Norfolk

Bobby Norfolk, an internationally known story performer and teaching artist, three-time Emmy Award winner, and multiple Parents' Choice Gold and Silver Award winner performs nationally and internationally. Bobby has been awarded a National Storytelling Network Oracle Award as well as an honorary doctorate from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

 

Carolina Quiroga

Carolina Quiroga

Carolina is a dynamic bilingual storyteller who captivates audiences with enchanting tales from the vibrant landscapes of Latin America, stretching from El Río Grande to the breathtaking expanse of Patagonia. Since arriving in the US, Carolina has performed at prestigious events such as the National Storytelling Festival and the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, leaving her mark on the storytelling community.

Embarking on a nationwide tour, Carolina has captivated audiences in schools, libraries, museums, and cultural institutions from coast to coast. Driven by her love for narratives, Carolina created her acclaimed literary podcast, Tres Cuentos, where she delved into the soul of Latin American literature.

As a Teacher Artist (Wolf Trap and Asheville Schools), Carolina continues to inspire and educate through the art of Storytelling. With her boundless creativity and unwavering dedication, Carolina Quiroga is not just a storyteller but a cultural ambassador, weaving the threads of Latin American heritage into the hearts of audiences everywhere.

 

Sherry Norfolk

Sherry Norfolk

Sherry Norfolk is an award-winning storyteller, author and teaching artist, performing and leading residencies and professional development workshops nationally and internationally. A dynamic storyteller, Sherry has appeared in the Manitoba International Storytelling Festival, Taiwan International Storytelling Carnival, International Art of Storytelling Festival (Miami, FL), International Storytelling Center (Jonesborough, TN), Singapore International Storytelling Festival, Manila International Storytelling Festival, and many more festivals, schools, libraries, museums and universities nationwide.

A Kennedy Center National Teaching Artist, Wolf Trap Teaching Artist, Young Audiences Teaching Artist, and an Arts Integration Teaching Artist on the rosters of several state arts commissions, she leads residencies in preK through high school classrooms across the country and southeast Asia. As co-editor and/or co-author of five books that explore rigorous, standards-based storytelling strategies for learning across the curriculum and a former Adjunct Professor at Lesley University, Sherry is a recognized leader in integrating learning through storytelling.

 

Music

 

Dulcimer Lesson workshop is held during the festival.

NPS Photo

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, 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 band, Crazy Chester, delivering a high-octane performance that will keep you on your feet. And as night falls, let the emotive melodies of acoustic artist Gerald Hanright take you on a powerful musical journey, creating unforgettable moments that celebrate our community and culture.

 

Crazy Chester

A musical partnership of banjo player Paul “Hoss” Davis and guitarist Kenny Gilreath. Lifelong friends and best pals, Hoss and Kenny have shared music everywhere from living rooms to festival stages, always bringing a fun-loving, laid-back energy to every performance.

Drawing inspiration from The Band, Doc Watson, classic rock, folk, and bluegrass, Crazy Chester blends Americana and folk traditions with their own twist. Their sound combines the grit of classic rock, the heart of country, and the storytelling of folk, reimagined through the raw, acoustic pairing of banjo and guitar.

 

Gerald Hanright

Hailing from Rugby, TN, Gerald Hanright is a multi-talented musician who has performed all across the South, captivating audiences with his dynamic mix of blues, jazz, and classic rock ’n’ roll. Known for his remarkable ability to play just about any instrument, he brings energy, skill, and soul to every performance, making him a must-see act for music lovers of all ages.