Hagood Mill presents Storytelling Festival & Liars Competition this weekend

The hills and hollers around Hagood Mill Historic Site in Pickens will come alive with tall tales and scary stories of Appalachia when the Storytelling Festival and Liars Competition comes to the mill this weekend, Oct. 15 and 16.

The event kicks off with Friday Night Frights & Ghost Stories from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 15 in the mill’s historic courtyard. Due to the graphic and frightening nature of some of the stories, parental guidance is suggested.

On Saturday, award-winning author and professional storyteller Steven James will be on hand along with storytellers Doug Eliiott, Josh Goforth, Lona Bartlett and Derrick Phillips – all sharing mountain funnies, memories of yesteryear, and tales of mystical places in Appalachia. The event will be emceed by Johnny Thomas Fowler, recipient of the prestigious Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award, the highest award given to folk artists in South Carolina.

Saturday’s festivities also will feature a Liar’s Competition where area storytellers can compete for the title of “Best Liar.” There is space for eight competitors, with the winner taking home a grand prize of $75 and a slot on the storytelling stage in 2022.

Want to attend?

What: Storytelling Festival and Liars Competition

Where: Hagood Mill Historic Site, 138 Hagood Mill Road, Pickens SC 29671

When: Friday, October 15, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 16, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Admission: Friday Night Frights & Ghost Stories, $10; Saturday Storytelling Festival, $5.

For more information, call (864) 898-2936 or visit hagoodmillhisotricsite.com.