As autumn settles over Tennessee's oldest town, Jonesborough is preparing to turn its celebrated storytelling tradition toward the spooky side.

The 11th Annual Brews & Boos takes place Saturday, October 17, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Jimmy Neil Smith Park behind the International Storytelling Center in downtown Jonesborough.

Organized by Main Street Jonesborough, the outdoor fundraising event offers an evening of ghost stories told by two experienced performers, Michael Reno Harrell and Jessica Piscitelli Robinson.

A town built for storytelling

Jonesborough has long made storytelling part of its cultural identity, making the historic downtown an especially fitting setting for an evening of eerie tales.

Instead of a conventional stage play or haunted attraction, Brews & Boos puts spoken stories at the center of the experience.

The setting gives listeners an opportunity to enjoy the atmosphere of an October evening while hearing performers bring memorable characters and mysterious situations to life.

Meet this year's storytellers

Michael Reno Harrell is a storyteller, songwriter and performer whose work combines narrative and music.

Jessica Piscitelli Robinson is a nationally recognized storyteller who has appeared at major storytelling festivals and received honors from the National Storytelling Network.

Together, they bring different voices and approaches to an evening designed around suspense, imagination and the lasting appeal of a good ghost story.

What visitors should know

The program runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, October 17.

Check-in begins at 5:30 p.m. on the steps of Jimmy Neil Smith Park near the Storytelling Center Plaza.

Guests should bring a chair or blanket because seating is on the ground, and organizers recommend the performance for children age 10 and older.

Main Street Café & Catering is scheduled to offer fall-themed beer and cider, with food also available.

Guests planning to purchase alcoholic beverages must bring identification.

Admission is $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the event, with tickets available through the Town of Jonesborough or by calling the Visitors Center at 423-753-1010.

For Tri-Cities residents looking for a distinctive fall outing, Brews & Boos offers a local alternative to the usual Halloween attractions while celebrating a tradition that has made Jonesborough a storytelling destination.