Simply being outdoors in East Tennessee in early fall is a treat; warm temperatures during the day and comfortably cool nights perfect for enjoying the many outdoor festivals and events just a short drive from Johnson City.

41^st Annual Storytelling Festival

What started in 1973 as a few good storytellers and a handful of entertained listeners in Historic Jonesborough has turned into what's now called one of the Top 100 Events in North America.

The International Storytelling Festival now features dozens of large tents spread throughout the historic town, food and merchandise vendors, and a crowd of more than 100,000 over the three-day weekend who come to hear tales spun by nearly two dozen tellers. This year's festival is October 4^th through 6 ^th.

World-famous singer and musician Tim O'Brien will headline an evening of music during the kickoff of the Festival on Thursday. Joining O'Brien for the evening is Nora Jane Struthers and The Party Line. The high-energy, Nashville-based quintet performs Struthers' original story-songs with tight, three-part harmonies, fiddle, claw-hammer banjo, acoustic guitar, bass and drums. 

Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion

If music is what you're looking for, don't miss this year's Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion that takes place in Bristol, the birthplace of Country Music, on State Street, where you literally straddle the state line of Tennessee and Virginia.  More than 185 groups play over the three-day event on September 20-22, including well-known names such as Lucinda Williams, Keller Williams, Masters of Bluegrass, Deer Tick, Blitzen Trapper and many more.

The festival also includes a 5K Road Race, Children's Day, Chili Cookoff, pancake breakfast and youth music competition.

Annual Unicoi County Apple Festival

Now in its 36^th year, the festival draws more than 110,000 annual attendees and has been consistently named one of the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 events in the southeast. The two-day event October 4 ^th and 5 ^th offers something for everyone - handmade crafts, antiques, entertainment, a large children's area, a Blue Ridge Pottery show and sale, contests and a smorgasbord of food!

Three hundred fifty vendors from around the country will line downtown Erwin in "American Craft Country," and three different music stages will feature diverse musical genres including rock, gospel and bluegrass.