Hagood Mill Historic Site will welcome audiences of all ages for the 25th Annual Storytelling Festival & Liar’s Competition, October 16–17, 2026. The two-day celebration will feature acclaimed storytellers, ghost stories, Appalachian folklore, historic demonstrations, crafts, vendors, food, and the always-entertaining Liar’s Competition.

The festival opens Friday, October 16, at 6:30 p.m. with Friday Night Frights & Ghost Stories, an evening of spine-tingling tales. The Friday evening lineup includes: Master of Ceremonies Lona Bartlett, Tim Lowry, Walt Belcher, Robin Kitson.

Friday Night Frights & Ghost Stories admission is $10 for guests ages 10 and older.

The celebration continues Saturday, October 17, with a full day of stories, laughter, folklore, and tall tales. Saturday’s storytelling lineup includes: Master of Ceremonies Johnny Thomas Fowler, Tim Lowry, Andy Offutt Irwin, Walt Belcher.

A centerpiece of the festival is the Liar’s Competition, offering eight competitors the opportunity to share their best “lies” or tall tales for the chance to be named Hagood Mill’s Best Liar. The winner will receive a $75 grand prize and a guaranteed storytelling-stage spot at the 2027 festival.

Contestants have up to eight minutes to tell their story, with a one-minute grace period. Points will be deducted after eight minutes, and storytellers who exceed nine minutes will be disqualified. A panel of judges will evaluate each contestant on structure and flow, character, language, delivery and poise, emotional impact, and pacing and timing. Each category will be scored on a scale of one to five.

Those interested in competing in the Liar’s Competition may email kim@visithagoodmill.org to sign up.

Saturday admission is $7 for guests ages 10 and older. A Friday-and-Saturday festival admission is available for $17. Children ages 9 and under are admitted free.

Ticket Options:

Friday Night Frights & Ghost Stories – October 16, 2026 – $10 per person ages 10+

Storytelling Festival & Liar’s Competition – Saturday Only – October 17, 2026 – $7 per person ages 10+

Friday and Saturday Festival Admission Oct 16 & 17, 2026 – $17 per person ages 10+

Order Tickets ==> https://visithagoodmill.com/event/storytelling-festival-and-liars-competition-2026/

The historic water-powered gristmill will be operating on Saturday, with fresh stone-ground products available for purchase. Guests can also enjoy living-history demonstrations, artisan vendors, food trucks, and lively open jams beneath the cedar tree beside the site’s 1791 log cabin.

Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for the performances.

Come experience the music, heritage, and welcoming community spirit that make Hagood Mill Historic Site a South Carolina treasure.

About Hagood Mill Historic Site

Located in the heart of Pickens, South Carolina, Hagood Mill Historic Site is a treasured destination dedicated to preserving and celebrating the region’s rich cultural heritage. Established in 1845, the site features a historic gristmill, cultural exhibits, and a vibrant calendar of events showcasing traditional arts, music, and history.

Home to the South Carolina Rock Art Center, Hagood Mill serves as a hub for education, discovery, and preservation of Native American rock art and other significant cultural artifacts. Through its programs and initiatives, the site fosters a deep connection to the past while inspiring future generations to appreciate and protect South Carolina’s unique history.