FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
PHONE: 256.350.3500 / 800.648.5381
EMAIL: info@northalabama.org
Nation’s Top Artists to Entertain at Storytelling Festival in Athens
Decatur, Ala. – For the past 10 years, some of the nation’s most highly acclaimed storytellers have made their way to Athens for the city’s annual celebration of storytelling, tall tales, and readings. Now in its eleventh year, the Athens Storytelling Festival returns to the Limestone County Courthouse Square in downtown Athens October 24-28, 2017, and along with five award-winning performers, the event features an amateur night for locals to take the stage to unleash their own tall tales and stories.
The Athens Storytelling Festival kicks off on Tuesday evening, October 24, with the Dan Williams Local Tellers Competition (amateur night). Admission at the gate is $5/adult and $3/child. The winner of this juried competition will get the stage again Thursday night to perform. Tuesday through Thursday during school hours, performances by professional storytellers are open to all Tennessee Valley area schools and homeschoolers for students in third to twelfth grades. Seating is limited and reservations are required by contacting the festival at info@athensstorytellingfestival.com by October 19, 2017.
This year’s lineup features an eclectic mix of professional storytellers and musicians. On Thursday, October 26 from 7:30 to 9:15 p.m., come whet your appetite for some good old-fashioned storytelling at the Storytelling Olio where this year’s performers will provide a sampling of what’s to come. Advance tickets (by October 16) are $15/adult, $10/child.
Slated to appear on Friday and Saturday are many of the favorite performers from previous years including author Donald Davis, National Storytelling Festival favorite Bil Lepp, three-time Storytelling World Gold awards recipient Geraldine Buckley, Grammy award winner Bill Harley and The Dill Pickers, a group of individual musicians who have grown into a band of storytelling, instrument wielding performers popular all across the state of Alabama. Each teller will take the stage four times over the course of the festival. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9:10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 9:15 p.m. on Sunday.
Stories will be told under the big tent on Marion Street, between Market and Washington. In addition, food vendors, local restaurants and an eclectic mix of shops offering a wide variety of antiques, gifts, gourmet foods, clothing and hardware will be open during the festivities.
Advance tickets (by October 16) for Friday and Saturday events are $50/adult and $25/child. Tickets for any combination of events or daily admission are also available. For complete ticket pricing, a biography on each storyteller and a schedule of events, visit www.athensstorytellingfestival.com.
About Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA)
AMLA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the promotion and development of the travel industry within the 16 northernmost counties of the state. It is supported by 500-plus members consisting of chambers of commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus, attractions, campgrounds, festivals, communities, counties, golf courses, restaurants, tour operators, accommodations, vendors, financial institutions and individuals. Counties included within the AMLA region are Blount, Cherokee, Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Franklin, Jackson, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Morgan and Winston. Additional information on North Alabama destinations, accommodations and special events is available by calling 800.648.5381 or by visiting www.NorthAlabama.org. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @VisitNorthAL and like us at www.facebook.com/VisitNorthAL.
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