Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival

### Context Profile for Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival

1. **Organization Mission & Cause**:
   - The Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival (GMSF) is dedicated to celebrating and preserving the art of storytelling, particularly focusing on traditional and contemporary Appalachian stories. Their mission is to provide a platform for storytelling that connects community members, visitors, and students of all ages to the rich cultural heritage of the region. The festival aims to educate and engage participants in storytelling through performances, workshops, and interactive events.

2. **Type of Activities**:
   - The GMSF hosts an annual storytelling festival that includes:
     - Storytelling performances by featured tellers.
     - Workshops for participants to learn storytelling techniques.
     - Children’s events to engage younger audiences.
     - A quilt display that complements the storytelling theme.
     - An online viewing option for those unable to attend in person, allowing access to recorded sessions after the festival.
   - The festival emphasizes accessibility with low ticket prices and free tickets for K-12 students, individuals with low income, and those with disabilities.

3. **Tone of Voice**:
   - The tone of the GMSF's communications is friendly, inviting, and community-oriented. The language used is accessible and warm, aiming to create a sense of belonging and excitement about storytelling. The content is informative yet engaging, encouraging participation and connection.

4. **Emoji Usage**:
   - The organization does not appear to use emojis in their communications, maintaining a more traditional and straightforward approach to their messaging.

5. **Key Facts**:
   - **Founding Info**: The specific founding date is not mentioned on the website.
   - **Scale**: The festival is an annual event, with the next scheduled for April 10-11, 2026.
   - **Impact Metrics**: The festival aims to keep ticket prices low to ensure accessibility, offering discounts for seniors, military personnel, and students, as well as free tickets for specific groups.
   - **Volunteer Info**: There is no specific mention of volunteer opportunities on the website, but the festival likely relies on community support for its operations.

6. **Writing Guidelines**:
   - **Style**: Use a friendly and inviting tone that encourages community engagement and participation.
   - **Content Structure**: Information should be clear and organized, with headings and bullet points to enhance readability.
   - **Inclusivity**: Highlight accessibility options and community involvement in storytelling.
   - **Call to Action**: Encourage participation in events, workshops, and donations to support free ticket initiatives.
   - **Language**: Keep language simple and relatable, avoiding jargon to ensure it resonates with a broad audience.

This context profile serves as a foundational guide for creating personalized content for the Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival, ensuring alignment with their mission, activities, and tone.

LXCL:Your ticket covers access to all festival sessions on Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11: storytelling, workshops, and more!

Early Bird General Admission (two days)

LXCL:Your ticket covers access to all festival sessions on Friday, April 10: storytelling, workshops, and more!

Early Bird General Admission (Friday, April 10)

LXCL:Your ticket covers access to all festival sessions on Saturday, April 11: storytelling, workshops, and more!

Early Bird General Admission (Saturday, April 11)

Early Bird Senior/Military Admission (two days)

Early Bird Senior/Military Admission (Friday, April 10)

Early Bird Senior/Military Admission (Saturday, April 11)

LXCL:Your free ticket covers access to all festival sessions on Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11: storytelling, workshops, and more!

Students 18 and under and YHC students

Teacher bringing a class (in person)

College student (two days)

College student (Friday, April 10)

College student (Saturday, April 11)

FREE in-person ticket for low-income individuals

FREE in-person ticket for individuals with disabilities

LXCL:If you can't attend the festival in person but don't want to miss the fun, sign up for an online viewing ticket. Selected sessions will be live streamed during the festival, and we will also have a professional videographer recording all of the storytelling sessions and workshops for your viewing enjoyment. We will send you a link to the recordings afterward. One ticket is good for everyone in your household/group.

Online Viewing: General Admission

Online viewing: student groups and teachers

Online viewing: FREE for individuals with low income

Online viewing: FREE for individuals with disabilities

LXCL:This year's t-shirt shows the word "story" in dozens of languages, emphasizing what we all have in common. 3/18/26: Pre-orders for shirts have now ended. We will have shirts available for purchase at the festival, and if we have any left afterward, we will make them available through our website. Thanks!

2026 festival t-shirt (Story: The Universal Language)

Join us for two days of family-friendly fun! We&#39;ll have storytelling, workshops, a quilt display, and more. PLEASE NOTE: Early-bird ticket sales for in-person tickets will close on 4/3/2026 so we can prepare for the festival. After that, you can get an in-person ticket at the door. Online viewing tickets will be available through May 10.&nbsp; The 12th annual Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival will be held in person on April 10-11, 2026, and will be viewable online through May 10, 2026. The festival will showcase the art of storytelling with an emphasis on traditional and contemporary Appalachian stories. The GMSF offers storytelling and musical performances, children&#39;s events, and workshops so that community members, visitors from afar, and students of all ages can not only learn about the tradition and history of our region through storytelling but also have the opportunity to become part of its preservation. We&#39;re thrilled to be holding the festival at The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge (3499 US-76, Hiawassee, GA, 30546), a lovely lakeside venue with plentiful parking and a terrific view of the surrounding area. You&#39;re in for a treat! If you&#39;d like to stay on-site for the festival, The Ridges is offering festival visitors a discounted rate for reserving rooms early. Call 706-896-2262, ext. 1, by 3/10/2026 and ask for the GMSF2026 rate.&nbsp; If you can&#39;t attend the festival in person on April 10-11 but don&#39;t want to miss the fun, you can sign up for an &quot;online viewing&quot; ticket and join us virtually. Selected sessions will be live streamed during the festival, and you will be able to watch recordings of the storytelling sessions and workshops through May 10.&nbsp; Our featured tellers for the 2026 festival are:<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1770700029/wysiwyg/uev1nslu4l1vpgwu20ac.jpg" style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; position: relative; max-width: 100%; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; user-select: none; box-sizing: inherit;" fr-original-style="width: 600px; display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"><ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://storyinmotion.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Antonio Rocha</a></li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;" value="1"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://storywindow.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Connie Regan-Blake</a></li><li fr-original-style="" id="isPasted" style="box-sizing: inherit;" value="1"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.deafpetercook.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Peter Cook</a></li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;" value="1"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.storytellerlynford.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Lyn Ford</a></li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;" value="1"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://andyirwin.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">Andy Offutt Irwin</a></li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;" value="1">Please note: Gene Tagaban was originally scheduled to appear at the 2026 festival as a featured teller. Due to travel difficulties, he will be unable to join us. In his place, we are pleased to welcome Andy Offutt Irwin. We hope to host Gene in a future year.&nbsp;</li></ul>Two-day festival tickets include all festival sessions. One-day tickets include everything happening on the day you specify. We keep our ticket prices low so that everyone who wants to participate in the festival can. Please scroll through the options to see early-bird discounts; discounts for senior citizens, military personnel, and college students; and free tickets for K-12 students and their teachers, individuals with low income, and individuals with disabilities. You&#39;ll also see a donation option at the bottom of the ticket list. All donations will go toward helping us give free tickets to the groups above, so please give if you are able. &nbsp; The festival schedule, workshop descriptions, a venue map, a guide for teachers, and more will be posted on our website as the festival draws near: <a data-fr-linked="true" fr-original-style="" href="https://www.gamountainstoryfest.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://www.gamountainstoryfest.org/</a>.

Dear friends,Thank you for reserving an online viewing ticket! To help you make the most of your viewing experience, check out our website to see a schedule with session descriptions, our guide for teachers, and other information: <a fr-original-style="" href="//gamountainstoryfest.org" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">gamountainstoryfest.org</a>. Here is your link to access the festival online: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://gamountainstoryfest.org/gmsf-2026-online-viewing-links-copy" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://gamountainstoryfest.org/gmsf-2026-online-viewing-links-copy</a>Here is the password: GMSF2026On that page, you&#39;ll find links to the livestreams and recorded programs. You&#39;ll also be able to access the festival online through an unlisted YouTube playlist we have set up for you: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBvX9zpgjzOgn73PMq7z1fZJnrFUroTx5&si=70v1hvfPxYbFWJta" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBvX9zpgjzOgn73PMq7z1fZJnrFUroTx5&amp;si=70v1hvfPxYbFWJta</a>. Either way, you will be able to watch all of the festival sessions online through May 24, so you can enjoy them at your convenience.&nbsp; As you&rsquo;re enjoying the stories, you may find yourself tempted to share your link and password with everyone you know, but we kindly ask that you don&rsquo;t. If your third cousin twice removed or anyone else outside your household or classroom simply must hear one of the stories, please direct them to the ticket reservation page so they can sign up for their own online viewing ticket. Tickets are $15 at most, and many people can get free tickets: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-georgia-mountain-storytelling-festival" rel="noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer noopener noreferrer" style="text-decoration-color: initial; user-select: auto; box-sizing: inherit;" target="_blank">https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-georgia-mountain-storytelling-festival</a>. We ask that our online viewers sign up for a ticket so we can keep track of the number of people benefitting from our programming, a requirement for the federal and state grants we receive. Thank you for understanding.&nbsp; We&rsquo;re looking forward to sharing the joy of storytelling with you online! Please let me know if you have any questions. &nbsp; With best wishes,Amanda Lawrence, festival director

Join us for two days of family-friendly fun! We'll have storytelling, workshops, a quilt display, and more. PLEASE NOTE: Early-bird ticket sales for in-person tickets will close on 4/3/2026 so we can prepare for the festival. After that, you can get an in-person ticket at the door. Online viewing tickets will be available through May 10.  The 12th annual Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival will be held in person on April 10-11, 2026, and will be viewable online through May 10, 2026. The festival will showcase the art of storytelling with an emphasis on traditional and contemporary Appalachian stories. The GMSF offers storytelling and musical performances, children's events, and workshops so that community members, visitors from afar, and students of all ages can not only learn about the tradition and history of our region through storytelling but also have the opportunity to become part of its preservation. We're thrilled to be holding the festival at The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge (3499 US-76, Hiawassee, GA, 30546), a lovely lakeside venue with plentiful parking and a terrific view of the surrounding area. You're in for a treat! If you'd like to stay on-site for the festival, The Ridges is offering festival visitors a discounted rate for reserving rooms early. Call 706-896-2262, ext. 1, by 3/10/2026 and ask for the GMSF2026 rate.  If you can't attend the festival in person on April 10-11 but don't want to miss the fun, you can sign up for an "online viewing" ticket and join us virtually. Selected sessions will be live streamed during the festival, and you will be able to watch recordings of the storytelling sessions and workshops through May 10.  Our featured tellers for the 2026 festival are:<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hxn9dbuhd/image/upload/v1770700029/wysiwyg/uev1nslu4l1vpgwu20ac.jpg" style="width:600px;display:block;vertical-align:top;margin:5px auto;text-align:center;position:relative;cursor:pointer;padding:0px 1px;user-select:none;box-sizing:inherit;max-width:100%" /><ul><li><a href="https://storyinmotion.com/" target="_blank">Antonio Rocha</a></li><li><a href="https://storywindow.com/" target="_blank">Connie Regan-Blake</a></li><li><a href="https://www.deafpetercook.com/" target="_blank">Peter Cook</a></li><li><a href="https://www.storytellerlynford.com/" target="_blank">Lyn Ford</a></li><li><a href="https://andyirwin.com/" target="_blank">Andy Offutt Irwin</a></li><li>Please note: Gene Tagaban was originally scheduled to appear at the 2026 festival as a featured teller. Due to travel difficulties, he will be unable to join us. In his place, we are pleased to welcome Andy Offutt Irwin. We hope to host Gene in a future year. </li></ul>Two-day festival tickets include all festival sessions. One-day tickets include everything happening on the day you specify. We keep our ticket prices low so that everyone who wants to participate in the festival can. Please scroll through the options to see early-bird discounts; discounts for senior citizens, military personnel, and college students; and free tickets for K-12 students and their teachers, individuals with low income, and individuals with disabilities. You'll also see a donation option at the bottom of the ticket list. All donations will go toward helping us give free tickets to the groups above, so please give if you are able.   The festival schedule, workshop descriptions, a venue map, a guide for teachers, and more will be posted on our website as the festival draws near: <a href="https://www.gamountainstoryfest.org/" target="_blank">https://www.gamountainstoryfest.org/</a>.

3499 US-76

Online Viewing: General Admission

US$15

Online viewing: student groups and teachers

Free

Online viewing: FREE for individuals with low income

Free

Online viewing: FREE for individuals with disabilities

Free

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