Tall tales are as old as the Appalachian hills.  For the first time in Southwest Virginia, the best yarn spinner will be crowned at the Liars Contest on Nov. 16 in Floyd, Virginia, at the June Bug Center.  The contest begins at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free.  The winner will receive a $100 cash prize and a golden shovel to honor their storytelling prowess.

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“Liars contests are taking off around the country,” said Clint Atwater, founder of Storytelling Connections, LLC, and Let Me Tell Ya! events, which produced the show. “Audiences love the outlandish tales and unforgettable stories. You have to wonder, are the tellers stretching the truth or all-out lying?”  Atwater said any family-friendly topic is fair game, including fish stories, aliens, “strike it rich,” ghosts, and vacation adventures. “I’m pretty excited about what the contestants will come up with.”

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• Contestants of all ages pay $10 to enter. They’re required to preregister through Eventbrite.

• Registration is limited to 12 contestants.

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 Atwater said he’s grateful to the contest sponsors: The June Bug Center, Blue Ridge Story Space (which performs at June Bug), and the Virginia Storytelling Alliance. “Thanks to them, we’ll have prizes of $100–First Place, $50–Second Place, and $25–Third Place,” he said.

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Atwater said attendees will find a warm and welcoming environment. “They’ll be part of the vibrant local community that appreciates this art.”  Facebook Live will stream the performance.

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The Liars Contest is part of Tellabration!TM is a National Storytelling Network event that

introduces new audiences to storytelling. 

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As a bonus, “Folks can experience the town of Floyd, renowned for its hospitality and vibrant culture of music, arts, local foods and wines, and outdoor recreation,” he added.

For more information about attending the live event, visit the Facebook page.

 

WHAT: Liars Contest  

WHEN: Nov. 16, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

WHERE: The June Bug Center, 251 Parkway Lane S, Floyd, VA 24091, and streamed on Facebook Live 

ADMISSION: Free (Preregistration through Eventbrite is appreciated)

PRIZES: 1st Place: $100. 2nd Place: $50. 3rd Place: $25

CONTESTANT ENTRY FEE: $10. Liars Contest Registration 

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Click here to see an example of a Liars Contest-worthy story.

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The Contestant Rules and Judging Criteria can be viewed and printed.

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