Community residents will have a chance to hear some very special stories and get a sneak peek into the 19th Annual Forest Storytelling Festival on Thursday, Oct. 17, when five storytellers appear at Peninsula College’s Studium Generale program. The presentation is at the college’s Little Theater on the main campus, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., in Port Angeles starting at 12:35 p.m.

Storytellers from the Story People of Clallam County who will share their talents include Dennis Duncan, Pat Ferris, Ingrid Nixon, Viola Nixon and Alice Susong.

Duncan is a native of Port Angeles who has told stories to thousands of listeners in several states and has led storytelling classes, teaching the “how to’s.” He tells mostly fairy tales and a few original ones and firmly believes in the power of stories for adults and children.

Ferris grew up in Ohio listening to her father tell “Mighty Mouse” stories. Now she tells fairy tales and folk tales with a smattering of personal stories.

Ingrid Nixon grew up in Port Angeles and worked in expedition tourism for more than two decades. She works for the National Park service heading up the interpretation and education programs at Mount Rainier.

Viola Nixon has been a member of the Story People since its beginning almost 20 years ago. A teacher, she incorporated storytelling into her classroom. Today, she tells stories to adults and children and has led workshops in which children are the tellers.

Susong spent more than 30 years living in national parks where her husband, Dunbar, worked as a park ranger. She tells stories at Olympic Park Institute and area churches and clubs.

The annual festival, which also will be held at Peninsula College, begins on Friday, Oct. 18, and runs through Sunday, Oct. 20.