national storytelling festival

Wonderful stories abound here in the heart of Tennessee's oldest town. Lots of activities year round.

This Storytelling Festival is a national treasure. The talent is deep and abundant and there is such variety that you are never without a good entertainment option. The event is managed beautifully and is spread out through town so it doesn't feel crowded.

As Carmon Deedy said, "bring the young ones." We had a great time. Friday was the family stories. My 11 year old enjoyed the majority of the storytellers. There is a large crowd, but EVERYONE we ran into was very friendly and patient. There is ample parking ($5) and Shuttle service ($1 or free). Just come prepared for the weather and bring something soft to sit in. The chairs get pretty hard after a while.We also brought plenty of snacks (even a lunch) and drinks so we could limit food purchases. The tickets are a little expensive, but they include almost all events, all day.

I just attended my 23rd National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough. A friend invited me to the first one and I went not knowing what it was all about. If you had told me before going that I would sit for 10-12 hours per day for 2 1/2 days, in a crowded tent, on plastic folding chairs, with 10,000 people, sometimes suffering nearly unbearable heat or rain or freezing temperatures just to listen to stories, I would have told you you were crazy! HOWEVER, I was hooked from the very beginning and have not missed a year since my first festival.It is so hard to describe what storytelling is all about - you have to experience it for yourself to really understand. But it is a total escape from reality for nearly 3 glorious days - escapes to reliving childhood experiences with tellers who grew up in Appalachia to travels around the world to stories that have been passed down through generations of Native Americans to hearing tall tales told so that you think they are true no matter how incredulous to incredible music of all kinds - and more. The stories take you through the gamut of emotions - laughing until you cry, crying until you are spent, feeling love and joy - just feeling.The town of Jonesborough itself is an escape from reality with its Main Street lined with buildings that don't look as though they have changed since the Civil War! The street is blocked off to traffic during the festival and the sidewalks are adorned with hay bales, cornstalks, scarecrows, and beautiful Fall mums. In spite of the massive crowds, the town stays immaculate and the people you meet - both festival goers and townspeople - are all friendly and positive. Suggestions for attending:1. Make hotel/motel reservations far in advance. We always stay at the Carnegie Hotel in Johnson City - a little more expensive but a top notch hotel (the prices aren't bad if you can share them with friends)2. Pack a lunch and snacks and drinks - there are 30 minute breaks between each 1 hour session, and there are a number of places to get something to eat, but you can avoid long lines and save some money if you take your own.3. Dress in layers and for comfort - temperatures at that time of year can be as low as the 30's to as high as the 90's with sunshine, rain, or occasionally snow!4. Take a cushion to sit on - those plastic chairs can get HARD!5. Plan to arrive at least an hour before the first session - parking spots can be gone quickly and seats fill up fast, especially in tents with the most popular tellers.6. Be prepared for long lines at the porta-potties.

Friends have been trying to get me to this event for years - and now that I am retired, I was finally able to do so. I was warned that the pace is exhausting - and it is! - but the three days were exciting, inspirational and just plain fun. Jonesborough hosts (so I was told) over 8,000 visitors - and does it beautifully. I have already purchased my "ticket" for 2015.The "telling" is done in 5 large tents, at least two of which seat over 1600 people. Be sure to bring a cushion to sit on (those folding chairs get uncomfortable after a while) - and a blanket or two for chilly evenings (and chilly days, too). Jonesborough is a small town - so you will probably need to stay in either Kingsport or Johnson City. (I stayed in Kingsport - about a 20-25 minute drive.) You will also need to arrange for parking - my friends and I paid $45 for three days right in the center of Jonesborough, but parking at the high school is available for $5 per day and there is a shuttle bus ($1 each way) to bring you to the center of town.I highly recommend this festival.

Having been to a dozen, or so, I'd have to say this was one of the best. My head is still full of great stories.

At last, it's time to go back to Jonesborough. This will be my 8th trip. I can't explain it but I actually get homesick for this, my favorite thing in the whole world. Seems I love the town as much as I do the story telling part. Weather report is rain on Friday, it won't dampen the spirits or spoil the day for 100's of people just like me. You'd have to experience it for yourself to know what I mean.

This is definitely an event you won't want to miss and once you attend, you'll be hooked. Very well done festival with loads of talented storytellers and music in a quaint little town that welcomes the visitor with open arms. Wow, all I can say is wow.

Jonesboro is so blessed to have the National Storytelling Museum, festival and gift shop. The story tellers are terrific and can be heard throughout the week except on Mondays and Sundays. Check it outwww,storytelling center.net The international festival is coming soon Oct. 3-5

We were spending a month in the Tri City area of Tennessee contemplating a possible move. We had heard of the story tellers that perform at the Jonesboro center. We just loved it. You are in a small and intimate theatre. The story tellers come from all walks of life and entertain you with story and song, many based on their lives. We ended up going 4 times. In Oct there is a festival for three days with tellers from all over the states plus overseas. We will be regulars when we relocate next year. Oh by the way, tickets $12.00 regular, $11.00 senior rate.The town of Jonesboro is the oldest town in Tennessee, take some time to stroll its street. Cute shops with many historical buildings.

I enjoy sharing in stories of all types. It is also nice to meet people sharing your space from all over the country and sometimes the world.

Very interesting concert! The stories were entertaining and funny. We have been several times and definitely will go again.

I am not able to attend this any linger due to the very high entrance fee. I would live to go to the ghost story event, but cannot afford it.

I don't like crowds, but I always wanted to go to the International Storytelling Center. The teller in residence was great. The center was beautiful. The staff was extremely patient courteous and helpful.

Every week from June - October the story teller is different. Our story teller was fun. He told stories with music and puppets. The seating is auditorium style and all seats are good.