Storytellers to Inspire Local Schools Ahead of Haunting in the Hills Festival

Contact: Daniel Banks, 423-569-9778

Oneida, Tennessee - Next week, the school districts in the six counties that surround Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will welcome a talented lineup of storytellers who will engage students through interactive performances that celebrate culture, history, and creativity. These visits, happening throughout the week, aim to bring the art of storytelling directly to young audiences, fostering a sense of community while sparking a love for storytelling.

Big South Fork will bring world-renowned storytellers to over 13,000 students in more than 30 schools. Traditional arts and crafts will be included as part of the storytelling festival along with craft classes offered throughout the day.

Featured storytellers - Karin Amano, Norm Brecke, Tamara Green, and Anne Rutherford - will bring a wide variety of stories and styles to students, blending rich traditions with original voices. Through engaging performances and audience interaction, they will inspire imagination, foster cultural appreciation, and highlight the timeless power of storytelling.

Storytelling predates writing, with the earliest forms of storytelling usually oral combined with gestures and expressions. Stories have been shared in every culture as a means of entertainment, education, cultural preservation, and instilling moral values.

These school visits will build excitement for the Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the Bandy Creek Visitor Center area. This culminating festival performance promises to bring the week's celebration of storytelling to a vibrant and unforgettable close.

For additional information on this special event as well as other events, call (423) 569-9778, or visit online: https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/storytelling.htm.

www.nps.gov

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