Exciting events in Tennessee

National Storytelling Festival Oct. 3-5
Jonesborough
The National Storytelling Festival will welcome some of the world's best storytellers Oct. 3-5 to the International Storytelling Center in downtown Jonesborough.
The event is packed full of activities including dozens of world-renowned storytellers, food and merchandise vendors, and an anticipated crowd of more than 100,000 visitors encompassing nearly the entire historic downtown area. Several events leading up to the weekend include concerts, a Wine and Beer Garden, and an additional day of storytelling featuring Donald Davis 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 in the Library Tent on the festival grounds.
"To see how this festival has grown has been exciting to see," says Brenda Whitson, executive director of the Johnson City Convention and Visitors Bureau. "What started in 1973 as a few good storytellers and a handful of entertained listeners exchanging stories has turned into what's now called one of the Top 100 Events in North America."
Featured tellers include New York Times best-selling children's author Carmen Deedy; Kevin Kling, best known for his popular commentaries on NPR's "All Things Considered"; Megan Wells, known for her one-woman shows, including "Dracula," "Psyche and Eros," and historical re-enactments of famous women; and The Healing Force, a family of performers who use a cappella singing, West African drums, guitar, shekeres and thumb pianos in their show.
Hilarious tales, ghost stories, storytellers that are self-described "fantastic liars," inspirational stories, and stories that utilize art, music, song, and dance are planned.
For more information, visit www.storytellingcenter.net/festival.

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Small Town Memories Saturday, Oct. 4
Granville
Granville's Fall Celebration welcomes autumn with charm and activities 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 4. Attendees should check out the Fall Arts Festival which hosts artists from the Upper Cumberland Arts Alliance. Demonstrations will include primitive cooking, soap making, wood carving, and much more. Take the chance to see beautiful fall foliage during the Cumberland River Cruises Oct. 3-5 as narrators share the local history and wildlife facts with patrons. Cruises depart Granville Veterans Park. Reservations are recommended by calling 615-451-4001.

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Tennessee Fall Homecoming Oct. 10-12
Norris
One of the nation's largest and most authentic music and folk festivals happens at the Museum of Appalachia in Norris with its historic log buildings, authentic artifacts, gardens, and farm animals contained in split-rail fences.
The 35th annual Tennessee Fall Homecoming Oct. 10-12 welcomes musicians to perform folk, bluegrass, old-time country tunes, Gospel, and traditional mountain music across five stages. Historic demonstrations like pioneer hunting and trapping techniques, quilting and more will also be highlighted to educate attendees on the area's history.Tennessee Fall Homecoming

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Sierra Hull Bluegrass Fest Saturday, Oct. 11
Byrdstown
The 12th Annual Sierra Hull Bluegrass Festival will be held in downtown Byrdstown on Saturday Oct. 11, 2014. Admission is $8 for adults, 12 and under gets in free.
The gates open at noon for the cruise-in, with T-shirts being given to the first 25 cruisers. Door prizes will also be given to Cruise-In participants.
The sole purpose for the Cruise-In is to raise money for "Homes For Our Troops". "Homes For Our Troops" is strongly committed to helping those who have selflessly given to our country and have returned home with serious injuries since September 11, 2001.
The South Atlantic Woodsmen's Association will be performing at 1pm and 3:30 pm. The SAWA is a not for profit organization dedicated to promoting lumberjack sports in the South Eastern United States. Also performing will be Cody Hull and Vertical Limit, Tim Shelton & Newfound Road (Reunion Show) and Byrdstown's own Sierra Hull will begin performing at 6:30 pm. We will have bounce houses and food & craft vendors to provide fun for the whole family.