Tellabration founder J.G. Pinkerton launched the idea of a national day of storytelling in 1988 to give storytellers in many communities a way to get together to share tales with family and friends.
He had a wish, according to the National Storytelling Network website: “May what the tellers share bring joy to many people and may the listeners come to know that … through storytelling, we can draw closer together in peace … and in friendship … and in love.”
The Tellabration spirit can be found in Cleveland, Tenn., on Friday, Nov. 9, when a handful of storytellers will gather in the fellowship hall of First Presbyterian Church, 433 N. Ocoee St.
According to local organizer Judy Baker, the evening will consist of tall tales, music, folk tales and personal stories.
Baker began storytelling herself after being invited to a Tellabration event a decade ago.