Athens Storytelling Festival

WHEN:

October 22-26, 2024

WHERE:

Athens State University

The Athens Storytelling Festival kicks off on Tuesday evening, Oct. 22 at 6:30 p.m. with a Student Tellers Exhibition where representatives from area city and county schools compete on stage for braggin’ rights and the opportunity to take the stage again Thursday night. Admission is free. All festival tellers take the stage Thursday, Oct. 24 beginning at 7 p.m. for an Olio and joining them will be student tellers with winning performances from Tuesday evening. Slated to appear on Friday and Saturday are many of the favorite performers from previous years including author Donald Davis, highly accomplished old-time bluegrass and swing musician Josh Goforth, Michael Reno Harrell, songwriter, storyteller, entertainer from Southern Appalachia, award-winning recording artist and author Tim Lowry and former teacher Carol Cain (school days only). Joining this fine lineup of returning performers will be pastor, Blues musician, educator and professional storyteller Rev. Robert B. Jones, Sr. Stories will be told under the big tent on the campus of Athens State University by Sandridge Student Center, located at 300 N. Beaty Street, five blocks from downtown Athens. Friday hours are 9 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. with ghost stories by Athens State University Student Tellers from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 9:10 p.m. In addition, food vendors, food trucks, local restaurants and an eclectic mix of shops offering a wide variety of antiques, gifts, gourmet foods, clothing and hardware will be open just a short walk from the festivities. A complimentary shuttle from the festival tent grounds to downtown Athens will also be provided. Ticket price for admission to all events (excluding school days) are $95/adult and $55/child (16 years and younger). Tickets for any combination of events or daily admission are also available and may be purchased here. All ticket holders must stop by the Gift Shop inside the Athens State Sandridge Hall Student Center, to pick up their swatches, which will allow them entrance to the tent during their ticketed times. The Ticket Office opens one hour prior to festival events.

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