The Sounds of the Mountains Festival is a fundraiser for Camp Bethel in Fincastle, VA.
Camp Bethel, 328 Bethel Road, Fincastle, VA 24090

Rental lodging on site at Camp Bethel.
Lodging in local hotels.
Event location is Camp Bethel.
Tent or dry RV Camping at Camp Bethel.

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

“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