Guest Storyteller Lounicia Hughett sitting in a wooden chair in a bright blue dress

Appalachian Storyteller Guest Performance: Beth Ann Kilburn

Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Special Event
  • Jun 27, 2026 at 11:45 AM and 3:15 PM
  • Free
Come gather 'round for tales rooted in Appalachia! 
 
Join us at the Blue Heron Interpretive Center in Kentucky on Saturday, June 27th, for a special guest performance by a skilled local storyteller, Beth Ann Kilburn! She'll be sharing stories at both 11:45 AM and 3:15 PM ET, with each session lasting about 30 minutes. Come be a part of a tradition passed down through generations on the Cumberland Plateau!
 
Beth Ann Kilburn is a traditional Appalachian storyteller raised in the hills of McCreary County, Ky. She has been sharing regional folklore for more than 18 years, specializing in front porch tales and ghost stories.

Her love for storytelling began as a young girl sitting on the front porch listening to her grandparents (Granny and PaDaddy) share family memories and local folklore. She preserves the regions oral storytelling tradition using her native dialect to bring these stories to life. Beth Ann’s stories are known for their ability to elicit a full range of emotions, from laughter, to tears and even a slight scare.

She is a staple at local Appalachian heritage events, most notably the popular Blue Heron Ghost Train and Historic Rugby’s Ghostly Gathering. She has also performed for the Big South Fork Scenic Railway and the McCreary County Public Library.

In addition to storytelling, she is retired from the U. S. Postal Service, an avid quilter and crocheter. She is also a volunteer for the Big South Fork Scenic Railway.

Fees

This event is free to attend.

Location

Blue Heron Interpretive Center in Kentucky at the end of Mine 18 Rd.

Latitude and Longitude 36.670794, -84.547648

Schedule

Date:

Jun 27, 2026

Time:

11:45 AM, 3:15 PM

Duration:

30 minutes

Stories at both 11:45 AM and 3:15 PM ET, with each session lasting about 30 minutes.

Contact Information

Tara Wilson-Kurz
423-286-7275
Contact Us

Event Type

  • Cultural/Craft Demonstration
  • Other
  • Talk
Tags: storyteller, guest performance, blue heron, appalachian tradition