Following a decade of entertaining thousands of visitors from all over the East Coast, the annual Sounds of the Mountains Festival held at Camp Bethel near Troutville is back for its 16th year, April 28-29.

This year’s line-up features nationally known professional storytellers, including Donald Davis, Dolores Hydock, Ed Stivender, Kim Weitkamp and music performances by After Jack.

Kicking off at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 28 and running through 9 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, the festival provides an entertainment-filled weekend for the whole family. A complete festival performance schedule can be found at www.soundsofthemountains.org.

The Sounds of the Mountains Festival presents several fun activities not usually found at other storytelling events. After the performances Friday night, the tellers will gather by a large campfire to share s’mores and stories at a special meet and greet. On Saturday afternoon, attendees have a chance to share their own stories at the Swapping Ground sponsored by the Virginia Storytelling Alliance.

All festival performances are held indoors and the festival will take place rain or shine. Food, snacks, drinks and homemade desserts will be served throughout the weekend. On Saturday, several food truck and vendors will provide lunch and dinner during the meal breaks.

Tickets prices vary for weekend, partial day and group rates. Tent and dry camping are available anywhere on camp property. Contact Camp Bethel at 992-2940 to reserve a campsite. Hotels offering discount festival rates are also available within a 10- to 15-minute drive. Camp Bethel is conveniently located five miles off I-81 at Exit 156, 10 miles north of Roanoke.

For more information call 919-607-0993, email alan@soundsofthemountains.org or visit www.soundsofthemountains.org.