Storytelling

Over the years, stories – filled with tall tales, moral lessons, riddles, and history – served to entertain, educate, pass down family stories and build the community for early Appalachian settlers. The mission and vision for the Storytelling sessions at Bear on the Square continue this tradition with a focus on sharing stories related to Southern Appalachia.

Plan to stop by Zak McConnell Stage in Hancock Park and spend some time listening to professional storytellers who are keeping the oral tradition of the mountains alive.

Saturday – 2025 Schedule

MainStage Tent

10:30 – 11:00 am – Storytelling Kick-off on the MainStage with Debbie From, Kanute Rarey and Hannah Sage From

3:00 – 3:30 pm – Storytelling with Amanda Lawrence, Melanie Knauff and Mike Mount

Zak McConnell Stage in Hancock Park

11:00 – 11:30 am – Storytelling with Amanda Lawrence and Kanute Rarey

12:00 – 12:30 pm – Storytelling with Amanda Lawrence and Kanute Rare

1:00 – 2:00 pm – Open Mic with Denise and Mike Mount

Open Mic Guidelines:

    • 5-minute stories
    • Family-friendly
    • No rants, politics, or religion

Sunday

MainStage Tent

2:15 – 2:30 pm – Storytelling with Denise Mount

Storytelling at Bear

The Appalachian art of storytelling has always had a significant presence at Bear on the Square Mountain Festival. However, since 2013, Bear on the Square has featured traditional storytelling sessions and workshops. Many of the storytellers we’ve had on the Zak McConnell stage are members of Southern Order of Storytellers (SOS) and Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia, which are local storytelling organizations. Both SOS and Kuumba are affiliates of the National Storytelling Network (NSN). 

For more information:
Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia 
The Southern Order of Storytellers 
National Storytelling Network

The Storytelling program is sponsored by Georgia Storytelling Network