Bloomington, Indiana is home to many local traditions. From music to film to comedy, the arts are a crucial part of making Bloomington the great city that it is. One tradition tends to fly under the radar every year, however. This custom is called The Festival of Ghost Stories. This event, which has been put on for over 40 years, is hosted by the Monroe County Public Library and the Bloomington Storytellers Guild the Friday before Halloween. A series of storytellers and folklorists venture in from all over Indiana to tell their original scary stories for the community.
“I think there’s a core audience here in Bloomington that crave the folk arts,” speaker David Matlack said.
This year’s edition was rained out of the traditional venue, Bryan Park, located on the South side of town, but a relocation found them in the library’s auditorium. Due to Monroe County’s mask mandate, participants were told to mask up unless on stage performing or enjoying refreshments like candy or hot cider provided by the organizers.
The festival ran from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. with every storyteller getting around ten minutes to speak. They provided ample time for storytellers and viewers to enjoy the experience while still having time to go out with their families afterward.
“I think storytelling is a heart to heart art form. I think our world really needs that right now,” Matlack said.
Ken Oguss and David Matlack discuss what makes storytelling in Bloomington so great and why ghost stories are important
Folk traditions often go overlooked in the contemporary world. When it comes to preserving this artistry, there are foundations in place to keep the values and oral history strong. The Bloomington Storytellers Guild has provided a deep folk tradition in their 45-year history in the city. Many of the members who helped found the Guild are some of the prominent names still telling stories today.
“Because of that longevity of this activity in the state, we really attract good audiences and good tellers,” Ken Oguss said.
Bloomington has long been a hub for storytelling in the community. One of the essential parts of storytelling is the shared experience that children and parents have when listening to stories being told. Building those key memories with each other is part of what makes storytelling a treasured part of the art.
A storyteller, wearing a black shirt and pants, stands on stage to perform her story titled “The Knife.”
Ghost stories are different from other forms of art. They provide a vessel for speakers to create an auditory experience when engaging with an audience. When telling a ghost story, it becomes a very intimate, personal experience for the teller and listener. The listener takes in the story and creates the visuals themselves.
“Especially ghost stories, are a way for us to deal with our fears in a very safe way, because storytelling is about making images in the listeners mind,” Matlack said.
When told correctly, the listener can be entertained, educated and learn to express individual identities through story.
The Guild looks forward to more story based events next season. Visit the Bloomington Storytellers Guild Facebook page for more information on how to get involved.
