Oct. 2, 2012 — The rain poured, but that didn’t stop the 14th annual Cave Run Storytelling Festival on Sept. 28 and 29. A record number of students attended the festival.
“There were 3,600 kids from 26 schools,” coordinator Carolyn Franzini said. “We’ve never had more than 3,200 before.”
Students traveled from as far as Ashland, Paris and Jackson City.
Franzini said about 4,000 people attended the festival, which included three tents and eight professional story tellers. The stories are geared toward different age groups.
“I send the story tellers a schedule,” Franzini said. “We divide the students by age. These story tellers know exactly what kind of story appeals to certain ages.”
The event could not have happened without its 65 volunteers, Franzini said. Community and committee members helped keep things running smoothly.
“The Cumberland Ranger District, or the forest service, is just the most incredible partner to work with. They put wood chips down to soak up the rain; they built a fire for ghost stories,” she said.
Work has already begun on next year’s festival.
“We really make a big effort to make it as organized as possible,” she said. “All the questions need to be answered. We want it to be seamless and stress free for everyone.”
Franzini and her husband, Bob, along with Mary Jane Humkey, are preparing to go to the Jonesborough National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tenn.
“We go every year. We’re hoping to hear some new stories to bring back for next year,” Franzini said.
Nicole Sturgill can be reached at nsturgill@themoreheadnews.com or by telephone at 784-4116.
