Our annual festival began in 2002 as a fundraising program for Camp Bethel (Fincastle, VA), and it has grown into one of the best and most unique events in Virginia's Blue Ridge: The Sounds of the Mountains Storytelling Festival.
Springtime in the Blue Ridge Mountains, a cozy spot for story lovers -- tellers and listeners alike -- to connect, up close and personal ... the “sounds” of the Sounds of the Mountain festival are laughter, “aaahh,” and “I can’t wait to come back!”
- Dolores Hydock
- Dolores Hydock
“One of the finest storytelling festivals on the East Coast. Period. Great audiences, good hospitality, gorgeous location, fun music and stories. I love it.” - Kim Weitkamp
“Sounds of the Mountains Storytelling Festival is a blast. The location is serene, the audience intelligent and joyous, and the staff and volunteers are enthusiastic and gracious. And they fed me well!” - Bil Lepp
“Sounds of the Mountains Storytelling Festival is like a big family reunion. Happy memories, lots of laughter, plenty of good food, only without having to watch Grandpa take out his teeth. Makes ya sure glad ya came.” - Suzi Whaples
“This is a great festival. The setting is beautiful, the audience eager and relaxed. The tellers are always worth hearing. Don’t miss it.” ~ David Holt
“When I was a child we sang a song called “Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham.” I loved the song, but I had no idea what it meant. WHAT and WHERE was Abraham’s bosom? It remained a mystery for many years. Then not so long ago, I went to Camp Bethel, a place of comfort, bliss, and security where good people tarried for a while and listened to stories. THIS was the Bosom of Abraham, or at least the earthly version. It was a blessing to tarry there for awhile.” - Barbara McBride Smith
“I learned how to tell stories at summer camp. Performing at the Sounds of the Mountains makes me feel I have come full circle. What a warm, wonderful bunch of folks!” ~ Andy Offutt Irwin
As a storyteller, you have to play venues that have a magic vibe, that intangible spirit that makes it all come together. That’s what I think of with Sounds of the Mountains, that magic that can only occur off the beaten path, that place where stories are born and come back home.” - Kevin Kling
