Haunting in the Hills Storytelling Festival

The Storytelling Festival returns to Bandy Creek Field at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area on Saturday, September 19, 2026, for a full day of stories, music, crafts, and community, and it’s all free and open to the public.

Come hear world-renowned storytellers, catch live music, take part in hands-on craft classes, and spend the day enjoying one of the region’s most beautiful outdoor settings.

The festival’s impact also reaches beyond Bandy Creek. In the days leading up to the event, outreach programs bring professional storytellers into local schools, giving students the chance to experience live storytelling and connect with the tradition firsthand.

Join us September 19 for the Storytelling Festival at Bandy Creek and experience a day dedicated to the art and tradition of storytelling.

 

 

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 a lineup of live musical 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.