If Bennie Jinright were a rich person, she would purchase tickets to the Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival for all of her friends, neighbors and a few strangers. She would do so believing they would find as much enjoyment from the age-old art as she does.

Jinright was one of about 1,000 people who attended four storytelling concerts hosted by the Brundidge Historical Society on Friday night at the We Piddle Around Theater in Brundidge and Saturday at the Trojan Center Theater at Troy University.

And, it was not Jinright’s first festival. She is a storytelling convert and she’s out to do a little converting of her own.

“Where can you be so well entertained for just a few dollars,” she said. “I’ve never had such a good time.”

Jinright said she was laughing so hard at Donald Davis’ party-line story, that she almost lost her breath.

“I tried to get my husband to blow in my face so I could catch my breath but he was laughing so hard he was crying,” Jinright said. “That’s what is so amazing about storytelling — you’ll be laughing one minute and crying the next.”

Jinright said Josh Goforth and Kevin Kling both shared stories about their personal lives.

“It was like they were talking just to me,” she said. “And Josh Goforth is the most incredible musician and singer.

“Kim Weitkamp was hilarious and Charlie Lucas was wonderful telling about ‘Miss Kathryn.’ It was an amazing weekend. I don’t know how it could have been any more perfect.”

Brian Peters of Birmingham agreed that the festival was about as good as it gets.

“We were all talking about how great the lineup was and how hard it will be to beat this one,” Peters said. “ My wife and our friends who came along were so enthralled with the festival that we actually made hotel reservations for next year.”

Lawrence Bowden, president of the Brundidge Historical Society, said he has heard nothing but positive comments about the festival, in fact, enthusiastic comments.

“More people are coming to more than one concert so they are getting a feel for what storytelling is all about,” he said. “And, we are also attracting people who are die-hard fans of storytelling. We have people who plan trips that include the Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival. We have several couples from Minnesota who are regulars at the festival and the festival is on their trip itinerary. One couple drove from Orlando just to attend the festival.”

Bowden said more young people are attending the festival.

“A family of five came from Atlanta and they attended all three concerts on Saturday,” he said.

“They really seemed to have a good time. It was encouraging to see young adults and young people in the audiences. It was a good festival all the way around. And, we want to thank everyone who came and encourage them and those who didn’t to mark the last weekend in January in red and plan to come to see what storytelling is all about.”