The first National Storytelling Festival started in 1973 at the Washington County Courthouse Square in Jonesborough, Tenn. Since that time, usually in October, a faithful crowd of about 10,000 people from all over the globe make Jonesborough’s National Storytelling Festival one of the most successful weekend events in the Appalachian Mountains. It has spawned the revival of storytelling across the country. There was not another event dedicated to the art of storytelling.

It has also since spawned similar events like the Cave Run Storytelling Festival, held in September at Morehead, Ky.

All over the Appalachians, festivals sprout like wildflowers, especially during summer with happenings like the West Virginia State Folk Festival. Usually held June 15-18, the West Virginia State Folk Festival dates to 1950 at Glenville, a small college town on the Little Kanawha River. Most activities take place on Main Street and include workshops in old-time fiddle, banjo and mountain lap dulcimer. You can toss horseshoes. You can also attend a nightly square dance on the street.

Later in the year the West Virginia Black Walnut Festival is held Oct. 12-15 at Spencer.

One of the South’s biggest events is The Kentuck Festival, held Oct. 21-22, with more than 250 artists at Northport, Ala.

And one of the biggest events in the North Carolina High Country is the Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair, held Aug. 4-5 at the Town Square of Burnsville, N.C., near the shadow of Mt. Mitchell - the highest mountain in the Eastern United States.

At the edge of Virginia’s coal fields, St. Paul throws its annual bash called Clinch River Days on the first weekend of June. St. Paul festival’s wine-tasting, fishing tournament, magic show and country music concerts. St. Paul’s event attracts about 2,000 people each year. Clinch River Days boasts what every other great summer festival serves in the Appalachians - food, music and crafts.

The Best Friend Festival at nearby Norton is also held in June. The mainstay of the Steppin’ Out Festival in Blacksburg, Va., is held in early August.

The Mountain Heritage Day Festival at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C., is held in September.

The emphasis shifts slightly - if you go from a festival to a county fair.

Fairs feature more agricultural contests plus four-wheeler racing, rodeos and demolition derbies. Also, carnival rides light up the nighttime sky at the Rich Valley Fair near Saltville, Va., the Virginia-Kentucky District Fair at Wise, Va., or the Appalachian Fair at Gray, Tenn.

FunFest in Kingsport, Tenn., runs July 14-22, with children’s activities, food and games. Events envelop nearly every corner of the industrial city near the Tennessee-Virginia line.

One of the biggest - and newest - festivals in the mountains celebrates eclectic musical tastes at Floyd, Va.

Dubbed FloydFest, this three-day World Music Festival is held annually with bluegrass, reggae, folk, African and Appalachian music running July 28-30. Performances by Iris Dement, Eddie From Ohio, Los Lobos, Appalachian Roots, The Lee Boys, Sun Dried Opossum, Blue Mule and the Celtic Air Band (shown here) that has been featured on national T.V.'s Today Show.

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