Appalachian Storyteller Guest Performance: Beth Ann Kilburn

Park Event · Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area · Sep 11, 2026 · 11:45 AM–12:15 PM

Gather 'round--Appalachian tales come to life with a special guest storyteller at Blue Heron! Join us at the Blue Heron Interpretive Center in Kentucky on Friday, September 11, at 11:45 AM ET for a special guest performance by a skilled local storyteller, Beth Ann Kilburn! Come be a part of a tradition passed down through generations on the Cumberland Plateau!

About Beth Ann Kilburn

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.

This special event is made possible by a grant from the National Park Foundation.

Source: National Park Service (public domain).