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16th Annual Cave Run Storytelling Festival set for Sept. 26-27

MSU

Enjoy America’s best loved storytellers in a beautiful mountain lakeside setting during the 16th Annual Cave Run Storytelling Festival, Sept. 26-27, at the Twin Knobs Recreation area at Cave Run Lake.

Seven of the nation’s finest storytellers will share their tales of adventure, culture and tradition for this annual family-friendly event. The festival begins at 9:45 a.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday.

There will be telling all day, concluding with the 7 p.m. evening showcase both days. Saturday evening a special tent features ghost stories by a beach fire. The festival is held in large tents with chair seating at the water’s edge.  In recent years, 5,000-6,000 listeners have attended the festival. The event has gained the reputation as one of the best storytelling festivals in the nation.

Festival sponsors include the Cave Run Storytelling Festival Committee, Morehead Tourism Commission, Daniel Boone National Forest and Morehead State Public Radio.

“The Cave Run Storytelling Festival offers something for every member of the family,” said Carolyn Franzini, festival coordinator.

The festival started in 1999 after a number of area residents attended the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesboro, Tenn. They believed that others also would appreciate hearing professional storytellers tell their tales and the first festival was organized. Since that first year, the festival has grown to include attendees from many states as well as school students from surrounding counties.

Tellers for this year’s festival include Bil Lepp, five-time champion of the West Virginia Liar’s contest; Antonia Rocha, a native of Brazil who captivates audiences with his unique blend of storytelling and mime; Sheila Kay Adams, a seventh generation ballad singer, storyteller, and claw-hammer banjo player; Bill Harley, a prolific author and performing artist who uses song and story to paint a vibrant picture of growing up, school and family life; Victoria Burnett, a teacher, librarian and singer who transports you on a memorable journey through a myriad of multicultural and African-American tales; Josh Goforth, a renowned old-time, bluegrass and swing musician and Dan Keding, a dynamic storyteller and powerful ballad singer who tells traditional stories of his grandmother’s homeland and his boyhood in Chicago.

Discount prices are available through Sept. 13. Tickets are available at the Morehead Tourism Commission Office, Coffeetree Books and online at www.caverunstoryfest.org.