NPS - National Park Service
10/01/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/01/2025 05:53
Tourism to Big South Fork NRRA Contributes $28.5 Million to Local Economy
News Release Date:
October 1, 2025
October 1, 2025
Contact: Nicholas Melton, (423) 569-7312
Contact: Christopher Derman, (423) 569-9778
Oneida, Tennessee: Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area will present the 15th annual Blue Heron Ghost Mine on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the Blue Heron Outdoor Museum. This free evening of live music starts at 5:00 PM ET with storytelling beginning at 7:00 PM ET beneath the historic coal tipple.
The music opens with Crazy Chester, banjo player Paul "Hoss" Davis, and guitarist Kenny Gilreath, whose easygoing acoustic blend draws from Americana, folk, bluegrass, and classic rock. Veteran performer David Howard, a fixture in East Tennessee since 1975, presents a seasoned mix of country, folk, and '70s singer-songwriter favorites. At 7:00 PM ET, the storytelling lineup features:
Jim Buck - A Pall Mall, TN storyteller known for local traditions and tall tales; former teacher and coach, and author of Santa's Story.
Howard Duncan - Lifelong Big South Fork resident and retired park ranger (30 years), a master interpreter of Appalachian history and co-author of Hiking in the Big South Fork.
Lounicia Hughett - A longtime educator and former Teacher Ranger, whose folk-and-family tales champion the preservation of oral storytelling traditions.
Beth Ann Kilburn - McCreary County native who channels front-porch folklore, dialect, and regional history to bring Appalachian stories to life.
Admission is free. Guests may drive and park on site at the Blue Heron Outdoor Museum (free parking) or ride the Big South Fork Scenic Railway from Stearns (rail tickets required).
For entertainment details and schedule, visit online at: https://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/bhghostmine.htm
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