Small-Town Magic and the Stories We Keep

Every Memorial Day weekend, my hometown of Ringgold, Georgia transforms into something out of a storybook. The streets fill with music, laughter, and the swish of calico skirts as we celebrate the 1890's Day Jamboree—a festival that began in 1975 and has become a living tribute to the past.

As a fantasy author, I’m endlessly fascinated by the stories we choose to tell—and the ones we choose to relive. This festival isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about identity. It’s about community. It’s about remembering who we were so we can better understand who we are.

I still remember walking through the streets as a child, bonnet tied tight, kettle corn in hand, watching the parade roll by. That memory lives in me like a scene from one of my novels—vivid, warm, and full of meaning.

Popular culture isn’t always about celebrities or trends. Sometimes, it’s about the traditions we pass down, the festivals we keep alive, and the stories we tell with our feet on the pavement and our hearts in the past.

✨ What traditions from your hometown have shaped your story?