Blue Ridge Storytelling Summit 2026

This year, the 3rd Annual Blue Ridge Storytelling Summit shifts from honoring the spoken traditions of Appalachia to highlighting the voices of Appalachian storytellers who are capturing these stories on the page. In a book fair format, the Summit will feature a dozen authors who will be available to sign their books, swap stories, and share their wisdom and inspiration with visitors one on one. Each author will have time to tell a story on the porch of the historic 1850 cabin at the Center for Pioneer Life.

Our featured storyteller this year is legendary Bob Plott, whose family raised Plott hounds for 200 years. He's a fascinating storyteller and writer. His books include A History of Hunting in the Great Smoky Mountains, The Story of the Plott Hound: Strike and Stay, Plott Hound Tales, and Southern Appalachian Folkways: Preserving Traditional Arts and Craft. It's a day of pleasure and play for book lovers,…