SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. — The mountains are calling—and they have stories to tell. Appalachian WordFest returns this year with more youth poets, storytellers, and vendors than ever before, and for the first time ever, at a brand-new location, The Ridge Events Center, located at 1250 Middle Creek Road, Sevierville. The festival takes place on Saturday, February 28 from 9 am to 3 pm and welcomes both book lovers and authors.

Produced by the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce, Appalachian WordFest is a free celebration of the stories and creativity emerging from our beloved Appalachian Mountains. Featuring 80+ local, regional, and national authors, attendees can shop for hundreds of books from their favorite and emerging authors and browse curated bookish goods to pair perfectly with a new read.

Attendees can also meet featured authors during special book signings throughout the day. From 11 a.m. to noon, Kyle Grainger will sign copies of Cooking with Kyle, followed by Richie Owens with Appalachia Ballads, Bloodlines, and the Long Journey Home from noon to 1 p.m., and bestselling thriller author Mike Maden with Clive Cussler's Quantum Tempest from 1 to 2 p.m.

Beyond the bookshelves, this year's WordFest offers more than a dozen free presentations, including Rand Timmerman's journey hiking the Appalachian Trail in his seventies and a deep dive into crafting sinister villains with Mike Maden, author of Clive Cussler's The Oregon Files series. The schedule also features publisher-led workshops, a live youth poetry slam, food trucks, and more.

“Appalachian WordFest is more than a book festival—it's a celebration of the written and spoken word that makes the Smoky Mountains sing,” says Amanda Marr, Communications and Marketing Director for the Sevierville Chamber. “Whether you're a lifelong reader, a budding writer, or just someone who loves a good story, WordFest is your front porch invitation to connect, create, and be inspired.”

Admission is free and open to the public, so bring your curiosity, a book bag, and a friend. For the full schedule, including vendor lineup and list of presenters, visit www.appalachianwordfest.com or follow on Instagram @appalachianwordfest.