Storytelling Festival & Liar's Competition

Each October, the hills and hollers around the Hagood Mill Historic Site in Pickens come alive with storytellers sharing the weird and wonderful, mountain funnies, memories of yesteryear and tales of mystical places in Appalachia.

This year's event will kick off on Friday, Oct.18, at 6:30 p.m. with Friday Night Frights & Ghost Stories. Julie Bradshaw, Johnny Thomas Fowler, Tara Porter, Lance Smith and Jess Willis will share their best ghost stories that are sure to scare one and all. Admission is $10 for those 10 and older on Friday.

On Saturday, Oct. 19, the Storytelling Festival will feature fantastic storytellers. Michael Reno Harrell, Jess Willis, Julie Bradshaw, Tara Porter, Johnny Thomas Fowler and feature storyteller, Sheila Arnold.

Arnold is co-founder and former Artistic Director of Artists Standing Strong Together (ASST), a source of inspiration, strength and action in the storytelling and artists world. She has been honored as a 2021 MacDowell Artist Fellow, a 2020 Mt. Vernon Research Fellow and a 2019 Hewnoaks Artist Colony summer residence Noted Artist. Arnold lives in Hampton, Virginia near her son, grandsons, and parents.

Michael Reno Harrell’s natural knack for storytelling comes as a direct result of where he is from, the Southern Appalachian Mountains where storytelling is as much a part of the culture as its music. His original stories and songs intertwine seamlessly into narratives that demonstrate that we all share common emotions and experiences and that nothing brings us together like a good laugh or a touch of nostalgia. Harrell’s stories, songs and artworks reflect not only the southern experience, but also American’s story. His work, in whichever form it may take, all comes down to one thing...story.

Jess Willis grew up in the small town of Saluda nestled amongst the hills of the South Carolina piedmont. Born into a family of readers and storytellers, her imagination was well fertilized before she even began to talk. She learned that life is a very great adventure and that stories are the roadmaps and love letters we leave for one another along the way. She is a homegrown spoken word artist with a big mouth and bigger imagination whose love of storytelling is only eclipsed by her love of listening.

Julie Bradshaw is a natural born storyteller who has shared stories at St. Simons Storytelling Festival, Stone Soup Storytelling Festival, the Women’s Storytelling Festival, the Florida Storytelling Festival, Six Feet Apart Productions and Better Said than Done. In April 2024, she was a Featured Teller at the Stone Soup Storytelling Festival. She tells a wide range of stories, including personal stories, folk and fairy tales, tall tales, and historical biographies.

The winner of the 2023 Liar’s Competition, and back to share more colorful stories is Tara Porter. Born and raised in northern Pickens County, she is part of a family whose roots stretch back over 200 years. The Porters are known for their storytelling, music, and colorful personalities, making them a cherished part of the local culture. Their tales and tunes have echoed through the community for generations, blending history, humor, and a touch of the extraordinary.

Johnny Thomas Fowler will telling stories and emcee the event. He is one of 17 national storytellers captured in the book Southern Appalachian Storytellers (McFarland Press). In 2013, Fowler was honored to receive the prestigious Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award, the highest award given to folk artists in South Carolina. He co-hosts a weekly old-time radio show on North Carolina public radio station WNCW-FM.

Lance Smith is a teacher, pastor, father and musician. He has always known the power of a good story and lives to keep the tradition alive. Smith loves mountain tales about “Jack” and native stories as well as tales from cultures all around the world. He has been known to tell stories around campfires, schools, churches, festivals and function throughout western North Carolina and the Upstate. He lives at the foot of White Oak Mountain in Columbus, North Carolina.

The Liar's Competition also takes place on Saturday. There are spots for eight competitors to share their best “lies” and be crowned with the title of “Best Liar”. The winner will take home a grand prize of $75 and a guaranteed slot on the storytelling stage for the event in 2024.

Visitors will also find the Hagood Mill in operation, living history demonstrators, arts and crafts and food vendors on site. Visitors are encouraged to bring chairs or a blanket. The show will begin at 10 a.m. and will include ASL interpreters for our deaf and hard of hearing visitors.

There promises to be lots to do and lots of fun! Admission is $5.00 per person aged 10 and up. Children 9 and under are free and there are no parking fees. Admission includes entrance to the Hagood Mill Historic Site as well as the Heritage Pavilion and Hagood Creek Petroglyph Site.