October 3-5, 2025

Festival Update

We’re deeply sorry to announce the cancellation of the 2024 National Storytelling Festival.

As you likely know, the Southeast region has been devastated by Hurricane Helene. Critical infrastructure has been compromised, local resources are strained, and hotels are filled with displaced and hurting people. Many roads and bridges in Tennessee and the surrounding states are damaged or closed. 

Our top priority is the health and safety of our neighbors, who graciously help us host this event every year — as well as our audience, staff, volunteers, and tellers. While this has been an emotionally difficult decision to make, we’re confident that it’s the right choice for everyone.

This week, we will be handling the logistical challenges of dismantling the event (for which the tents have already been raised). We will be in touch with all registered ticket holders in the coming days. If you can, please wait for that communication for further action. Anyone who needs an immediate refund can contact customer service at custserv@storytellingcenter.net .

In the meantime, we appreciate your patience and your well wishes. Please keep Jonesborough and the many other communities that are suffering from this storm in your thoughts. 

Sincerely,

Michael Carson

ISC President

Thank you to our sponsors

Friends of the Festival

David Gooch 

Kent & Cathy Taylor 

Virginia Buhr 

John & Joy Bolt

Gayle Brown 

Matthew & Karen Clark 

Donald & Trish Davis 

Gary & Barbara Duerk 

Arthur Ellis 

Bobby & Carol Frist 

Dick & Susan Gensel 

In Memory of Doc & Gin McConnell 

Larry & Deloris Gilmer 

Lynda Harris 

Henry & Flora Joy 

Ferris Lyle 

Russel & Kathy Mays 

Dr. Eric Sandgren & Holly McEntee 

Dwight Mitchell Insurance Agency, Inc 

Pat Paveglio

David & Glynda Ramsey

Anne B. Reel 

Carl & Vicki Russell 

Shirley Stafford 

Corinne Stavish 

Norm Stewart & Kathryn Smith 

Wendy G. Talley

Anne & John Tickle 

The Rev Bedford Transou

Carole & Foye Webb 

Lynda & Lew Wexler

Harry & Natalie Norris

Ballad Health

Carol Birch

In Memory of Bill Buntin

Joseph & Linda Calamari

Phillip Doriot

Jeff & Colleen Doyle

Randy & Nancy Evensen

Janice Fontanella

John & Joan Gregory

Margaret Harris

Beth Horner

Drs. Linda & Gordon Huntress

Jay & Cari Jarman

Charlie & Emily Jernigan

Anna Kapoor

In Memory of Cassandra Moore

George & Georgeanne Oxnam

Judith Petersen

Shane & Ann Riza

Ann Shimojima

Lynn & JoAnn Spees

Dr. Carolyn Thiedke

Marcy Hawley

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