The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival, featuring three nationally renowned storytellers, is back with in-person performances June 3 and 4. Early bird ticket prices are available through May 15. This popular annual event will return live at the Historic Grove Theater, 123 Randolph Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

All tickets, including the early bird special, can be purchased online at Eventbrite or the Ferrell Shop (cash or check only) in Oak Ridge. Tickets for individual performances and events are available.

The three-day event will feature storytellers Sheila Arnold, Bil Lepp and Kim Weitkamp  known to audiences nationwide for their wit, wisdom and ability to make audiences laugh, cry and reminisce. Two special events have been added to the weekend: a writing workshop by Bil Lepp,  on Thursday, June 2, and a special tour of Oak Ridge by Oak Ridge Historian, Ray Smith on Friday, June 3.

The festival has received significant corporate sponsorship for 2022. Consolidated Nuclear Security at Y-12 National Security Complex is the Presenting Sponsor for the entire Festival, and Pinnacle Bank is underwriting the Friday night premiere performance by Sheila Arnold. Other corporate sponsors are Bridgewater Balance and Hearing, Chuck’s Car Care Center and TNBank.

On Friday night, June 3, 7 p.m. Flatwater Tales has commissioned acclaimed storyteller Sheila Arnold to write and tell the story of the Scarboro 85, the 85 brave youngsters who desegregated the Oak Ridge Schools in 1955.  Few people know of this 1955 milestone event. Sheila will honor the Scarboro 85 in her presentation, “The Secret City’s Secret City: Scarboro,” by telling some of their stories. Storytellers Bil Lepp and Kim Weitkamp  will also perform Friday evening. Friday evening tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.

During the three shows on Saturday, June 4, the storytellers will share different stories for each performance. The morning family show, from 10:00 a.m. to noon will offer tickets at $10 for adults and $5 for school-age children. The afternoon show is from 2-5:00 p.m. and the evening show is from 7-10:00 p.m. Tickets for the afternoon and evening performances are $25 for each show. All shows are Eastern time zone. Early bird pricing is currently available through May 15 at $40 for both the Saturday afternoon and evening shows. For groups of ten or more tickets will be $20 each for either the afternoon or evening performances.

Storyteller Bil Lepp, star of the History Channel’s “Man vs. History,” will present a special writing workshop “Bringing a Story to Life and Including Your Audience in the Experience” on Thursday June 2, 2-4:00 p.m. at the UT Arboretum Auditorium, 901 S. Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge. Tickets for the workshop are $50 and are also available at Eventbrite and the Ferrell Shop in Oak Ridge. The Ferrell Shop accepts cash or check only. 

A first-time special event has been added to this year’s Flatwater Tales. Oak Ridge Historian, Ray Smith, will lead a tour of some historic Oak Ridge sites on Friday, June 3, at 1p.m. Tickets for this free tour are available on Eventbrite. The event is FREE but registration is required. Learn the history of Oak Ridge by spending the afternoon with Ray.

The tour (in your own vehicle following Ray), will include the Oak Ridge International Friendship Bell, the Secret City Commemorative Walk, Historic Jackson Square, the Alexander Guest House, the Chapel on the Hill, a drive by of several historic alphabet houses including the “D” house that famous Manhattan Project photographer Ed Westcott lived in during his retirement years. Options also include details of what to expect in Oak Ridge’s five museums (American Museum of Science and Energy, Oak Ridge History Museum, K-25 History Center, Y-12 History Center (if Covid allows), and Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge) as add on self-guided destinations. An additional option will be the Manhattan Project National Historical Park visitor center for those who desire to get their National Park passport stamped.

The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival is led by volunteers from all three Oak Ridge Rotary Clubs.