Corn Island Storytelling Festival

The stage is set for the 2026 Corn Island Storytelling Festival at 3rd Turn Brewing Oldham Gardens in Crestwood, Kentucky!

Join us August 28-29, 2026 for two unforgettable evenings of real people, real stories, featuring an incredible lineup of storytellers, poets, musicians, historians, and performers from across the region.

From Appalachian ghost stories to a Kentucky Homefront reunion, WWII memories, bourbon history, music traditions, and original poetry, this year’s festival promises laughter, inspiration, reflection, and a few surprises along the way.

Storytellers

Poets

Live Music

Kentucky Homefront Reunion

WWII Memories Exhibit

Artisan & Craft Village

The Back Porch Creative Gathering

Mark your calendar, invite your friends, and get ready to experience the stories that connect us all.

3rd Turn Brewing Oldham Gardens6300 Old LaGrange Road, Crestwood, KY

August 28-29, 2026

Real People. Real Stories. One unforgettable weekend.

FRIDAY LINEUP

Homefront Porch:

5pm Hickory Vaught trio

5:30 Poets Lee Pennington & Ron Whitehead

6:30 Hickory Vaught Trip

6:45 Poet Curtis Crisler

7:30 Hickory Vaught Trio

7:45 Poet Rita Spalding

8:30 Hickory Vaught Trio

8:45 Poet Chad Horn

Storyteller Stage:

6pm Josh Gonzalez – Hispanic Heritage

7pm Tom Bullock – Louisville Bartender Portrayed by George Harrison

8pm Michael Jones – Jug Band Heritage

9pm Jared King – Haunts & Haints of Appalachia

SATURDAY LINEUP

Homefront Porch:

5pm Bill Clark & Rte 15 Band

5:30 Poet Chris Dean

5:45 Poet Darlene Franklin Campbell

6:30 Bill Clark & Rte 15 Band

6:50 Colonel Bob Thompson Storytelling

7:30 Bill Clark & Rte 15 Band

7:50 Colonel Bob Thompson & KY Homefront Reunion

8:30 Bill Clark & Rte 15 Band

8:50 Poet Samuel Son

Storyteller Stage:

6pm Claudine Finn – Child of WWII Occupied France

7pm reta Underwood & Spirit Sound Walkers

8pm Sammie Byron – Othello’s Tribunal

9pm Mary Dowling – Mother of Bourbon Portrayed by Terry Chambers

BOTH NIGHTS! Emcees “Them Calloways” & Colonel Bob Thompson

BOTH NIGHTS! WWII Memories with Bob Fortunato