19th Annual Big South Fork Haunting In The Hills Storytelling Festival September 17

Oneida, TN (2011-08-31) The Nineteenth Annual "Haunting in the Hills” Storytelling Festival will be held Saturday, September 17, 2011 in the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The day's events will feature storytelling, craft demonstrations, workshops and sales, afternoon storytelling presentations, an open stage for local and student tellers and performances of dulcimer and bluegrass music. The day will culminate with the much anticipated evening storytelling session.

As in past years, storytellers will visit many area schools during the week before the event. Students will have the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful experience of seeing a professional storyteller perform. They will be encouraged to work with their teachers to develop their own stories to present during the open stage session on Saturday.

The climax of this year's festival will again be the night of ghost stories. Four storytellers from around the country will present their best ghost stories beginning at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. A series of "not-too-scary" stories will first be presented for the young and faint of heart. These will be followed by very scary stories for those brave enough to stay.

Neighbors and visitors alike are encouraged to come spend a special day at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Please remember to dress appropriately for the weather and bring a flashlight and a blanket or chair for seating on the ground. Food will be available for sale through on-site vendors. Parking for the event will be in the field across the road from the Bandy Creek Visitor Center near the pool. Bring the entire family and plan on spending the day to enjoy all of the activities.

For further information about the event or for directions to Bandy Creek, call the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at (423) 286-7275 or visit the Big South Fork website at www.nps.gov/biso. The storytelling festival is on Eastern Daylight Time. The event is free to the public.