Scary Stories at Fort Watauga

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park presents

Scary Stories at Fort Watauga
Thursday, October 26 at 7:30 pm

Strange things happen around All Hallows Eve, especially at an old fort by the river. But don’t
be afraid, Fort Watauga at Sycamore Shoals isn’t haunted… or is it? Bring a chair, sit a spell,
and join us for an evening of stories, songs, and tales that are sure to send a shiver down your
spine and tickle your funny bone. On Thursday, October 26 th at 7:30 pm, the park will be alive
with tales of haints and happenings of days gone by. An annual event not to be missed, Scary
Stories will be presented inside the looming palisade walls of Fort Watauga providing a unique
atmosphere for an evening of spooky tales geared toward the entire family.

We are excited to welcome five exceptional storytellers to the stage this year: Dr. C. Keith
Young, Catherine Yael Serota, Wallace Shealy, and the Front Porch Storytellers – Mary Jane
Kennedy, and Chad Bogart. Each of these talented tellers is sure to raise goosebumps on your
skin and bring a smile to your face!
Dr. C. Keith Young, Raconteur, is delighted to have the opportunity to return to the Scary Stories
at Fort Watauga. Having charmed audiences of all ages for more than three decades (since
graduating from the ETSU Reading and Story Arts program), Dr. Young has been a featured
storyteller/emcee at festival events such as Jonesborough Days, the Virginia Highlands Festival,
the Erwin Strawberry Festival, the Stone Soup Festival in Woodruff, South Carolina, Roan
Mountain State Park/Miller Homestead Days, Elizabethton's Covered Bridge Festival, and many,
many more. He is a favorite among programs that enjoy energetic, rib-tickling, family-friendly
songs and tales.

Catherine Yael Serota is Southern-Appalachian born, from Asheville NC. Her career in human
services lasted 42 years and took her from Greensboro NC across the state to Johnson City TN.
She developed an interest in storytelling five years ago as a result of a lifetime of reading, a love
of articulation and history, and now time to pursue these in retirement. Catherine is a board
member of the Asheville Storytelling Circle, the North Carolina Storytelling Guild, and an
alumna member of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild.

Wallace Shealy, from Flag Pond, TN has the distinction of being named the 2010 Bold Faced
Liar Champion by the Storytelling Arts Center of the Southeast. Wallace is active with the
Jonesborough Storytellers Guild and has been involved with the National Storytelling Festival
for more than 30 years. Whether he’s recalling a tale from his childhood, telling a story based on
the Good Book or spinning a yarn you will be delighted listening to him stretch the truth all out
of proportion.Mary Jane Kennedy spent 30 years teaching in Orlando.  She has a background in music, voice-
over, historical research, and storytelling.  She is the co-founder of The Homespun Storytellers
and The Overmountain Singers. Also, as a co-founder of The Front Porch Storytellers, she has
presented storytelling and music programs at many schools, civic functions, senior homes, and
organizations throughout the Appalachian Highlands for nearly twenty years along with the
popular Historic Ghost Walks of Elizabethton.

Chad Bogart descends from a long line of Appalachian storytellers. His telling is enhanced by a
background in music and historical interpretation. He has been featured as a historic interpreter
and character demonstrator at over fifty historic sites across the eastern US. Locally, Chad has
been a featured storyteller at the Mountain Makins Festival in Morristown, TN, the Bonnie Kate
Theater in Elizabethton, and the campfire series at both Roan Mountain State Park and Rock
Creek Park in Erwin. He is also a co-founder of the Front Porch Storytellers. His interest in scary
stories stemmed from ghost tales told by his grandmother and are a favorite among his listeners.
The program will be presented inside Fort Watauga so be sure to bring your own seat. Also,
make sure to dress warmly as the nighttime air along the Watauga River can be chilly and damp.
This event is free of charge and is sure to be an exciting evening with family and friends! In the
event of extremely inclement winter weather, contact the park about program cancelations and
park office closings.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park – 1651 W. Elk Avenue- Elizabethton, TN 37643

423-543-5808

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