FAQs
Whether it’s your first Festival, or your 48th, we’ve provided answers to some frequently asked questions that will help you make the most of your National Storytelling Festival experience. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact us.
Customer Service: 800-952-8392 or 423-753-2171
Fax: 423-913-1320
E-mail: customerservice@storytellingcenter.net
What Kind of Weather Can We Expect?
October weather in East Tennessee is hard to predict. Temperatures can range from 55-90 degrees during the day and 35-55 degrees at night. Since fall weather is so variable, please check the forecast before coming to Jonesborough. We suggest dressing in layers and bringing rain gear. Since the regular programming is inside tents, storytelling continues rain or shine!
Can I bring my pet?
Pets are not allowed on the Festival grounds with the exception of service dogs trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Under the guidelines of the ADA, the work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals.
Is photography allowed?
Audio recordings and videotaping are prohibited in performance tents except by authorized media representatives. Photography for personal use is permitted in performance tents, if no flash is used and taking the photograph does not distract or interfere with the storyteller’s performance. Please refrain from standing while taking pictures during a performance.
Tell me more about the Festival Marketplace.
The Festival Marketplace is the official site for a wide variety of teller resources, souvenirs and storytelling books. You’ll want to shop the extensive inventory for all your storytelling needs! The hours for the Festival Marketplace are: Thursday – 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday & Saturday – 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sunday – 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Can I get college credit for attending the Festival?
Graduate or undergraduate credit for attending the festival may be arranged through East Tennessee State University’s Storytelling Program in the Communication and Performance Department. For more information, contact Storytelling Program Coordinator Nancy Donoval at (423) 439-7863 or Donoval@etsu.edu.
Where should I sit?
Please don’t save groups of seats between performances by placing items on them. Tent monitors will clear items from chairs between performances. You may save one seat for your companion.
Can I use my mobile phone?
Please be sure all cellular phones and electronic devices are silenced while performances are underway.
Can I drink alcohol on the Festival grounds?
Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on Festival grounds except in the Wine and Beer Garden located on the ISC plaza where they are available for purchase from 4-8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday.
How Does the Festival Work?
Large, circus-type tents are erected in downtown Jonesborough, with general admission seating in each tent. Attendees simply choose which performances they want to attend. The tents are all located within easy walking distance of each other. When you pick up your ticket at registration, you will be given a Festival program, which will include the daily schedule and a map of the Festival grounds.
What are the Hours for Regular Programming?
Regular Festival programming is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Daytime sessions are one hour long, with 30-minute breaks between them.
What are the Ghost Story Concerts?
These are special concerts held on Friday and Saturday evening from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. They run simultaneously with regular programming and are held outdoors with ground seating. We suggest you wear warm clothing and bring blankets or chairs. Ghost Story concerts require a separate ticket and will take place rain or shine. Tickets: $10 each
What is Midnight Cabaret?
Midnight Cabaret is a late night storytelling concert for adults. It is held in the College Street Tent. Since the concert consists of performances on adult themes, we do not sell children’s tickets for this event. It begins at 10:30 p.m. and runs until midnight on Friday night. Midnight Cabaret requires a separate ticket. Tickets: $20 each
Where should I park?
Beginning Friday, you may park your vehicle at Jonesborough Elementary School located at 306 Forest Drive. Enter the parking area from US Highway 11-E and ride a shuttle to the Jonesborough Visitors Center where Festival Registration is located. The shuttle runs to the Visitors Center beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and ends after the last performance each day. There will be signs on 11-E to assist you in locating the school. The fee to park is $5 per car and proceeds benefit the David Crockett Band Boosters and the Jonesborough Elementary PTA. The shuttle is $1 per person each way (5 and under free). View a map of the Festival grounds.
Festival Registration
To obtain your tickets, please bring your confirmation letter or ID to Festival Registration located in the Jonesborough Visitors Center at 117 Boone Street, Jonesborough, TN 37659. Registration hours are:
- Thursday, October 1, 8:30 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
- Friday, October 2, 8:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, October 3, 8:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, October 4, 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
All tickets will be given to the person who purchased the tickets unless other arrangements have been made. We are not able to hold tickets for part of your group. If your group is traveling separately, you may want to designate a place and time to meet in Jonesborough.
Pre-Registration ends Friday, September 25. Walk-in Registration begins Thursday, October 1st at 8:30 am at the Jonesborough Visitors Center.
Do you offer refunds?
All ticket sales are final. If you are unable to attend the Festival, you may make a written request to transfer your 2020 Festival ticket to the 2021 Festival. Transfers are one-time only and must be made prior to the ticket date. Alternatively, you can make a tax deductible donation to the NSF for the amount of your ticket, if it is done in the same year in which you purchased your ticket. Individual concert tickets are not eligible for transfer.
How Do I Adjust my Reservations?
Requests for changes in the number of days you plan to attend or the kind of ticket you purchased may be made when you arrive at Festival Registration at the Jonesborough Visitors Center.
Where can I find food?
Two Festival food courts offer a variety of foods including vegetarian items. Conveniently located in the heart of the Festival, food court hours are 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Where are the restrooms?
Public restrooms are located in the Storytelling Center, the Visitors Center, and between the Courthouse and Creekside tents. Portable restrooms are located throughout Festival grounds.
Where Can We Stay?
A list of area hotels and motels is available on the Plan Your Trip page along with a list of campsites. Book early.
What about limited mobility parking and facilities?
Parking spaces are available for people with limited mobility who carry valid disabled parking credentials on their vehicle. Maps that show this parking are available at the Visitors Center or view a map of the Festival grounds here. Parking spaces are limited and are first come first served. A fee may be charged for parking in private lots. Limited golf cart shuttle service will be available during the Festival.
Tell me more about the Festival programming.
Large, circus-type tents are erected in downtown Jonesborough, with general admission seating in each tent. Attendees simply choose which performances they want to attend. When you pick up your ticket at registration, you will be given a Festival program, which will include the daily schedule and a map of the Festival grounds.
Are there sign language interpreters?
Yes! Nationally certified interpreters will interpret throughout the Festival weekend. For more information, call our offices at 800-952-8392, ext. 283.
What is the best way to travel to Jonesborough by car?
Jonesborough is easy to reach by car. From Interstate 81, Jonesborough is located along U.S. Highway 11 E. It is 15 minutes southwest of Johnson City, 25 minutes northeast of Greenville, and 90 minutes north of Knoxville, Tennessee.
What airline options are available for traveling to Jonesborough?
The Tri-Cities Regional Airport is located less than 20 miles from Jonesborough. Carriers include Allegiant, Delta Connection, and US Airways Express. The McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee is located roughly 100 miles from Jonesborough. The Asheville Regional Airport in Asheville, North Carolina is located about 75 miles south of Jonesborough.
Pre-Registration ends Friday, September 25. Walk-in Registration begins Thursday, October 1st at 8:30 am at the Jonesborough Visitors Center.
