Rowan Public Library Hosts North Carolina Storyteller Liz Z. Pardue October 13

Many North Carolinians may already know Pardue from her storytelling performances and social media, where she shares her knowledge of state folklore, legends, and all kinds of “weird” stories from across the region. 

“I do a lot of different types of storytelling in my work, but I love that, somehow, I’ve built a reputation as the Cackalacky Elvira, slingin’ stories of spookery,” Pardue said. “My ‘Tarheel Terrors’ and ‘Keep NC Weird’ shows are both lighthearted anthologies of North Carolina’s most-loved lore that are ever-changing as I learn more. Whether you’re a native North Carolinian or a newcomer to the Old North State, you’ll laugh and learn something new.” 

The program is free and recommended for ages 14 and up. Registration is not required, and seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. 

RPL Headquarters is located at 201 West Fisher Street in Salisbury (28144). Following the presentation, guests are invited to a "Meet the Speaker” reception. Pardue will have copies of “Fuquay-Varina Ghosts, Legends & Lore,” which she co-wrote with Kelly Prestipino, available for purchase.

Pardue’s love of storytelling, folklore, and legends stems from a lifetime of valuing stories. “I grew up on North Carolina ghost stories and folklore from my family, who have been here for hundreds of years. Stories were as much a part of our shared language as many others in the South. Aside from Jack Tales and the Rutabaga Stories, I also grew up going to see legendary North Carolina storytellers like Donna Washington and Bob Davis. For me, though, the stories of the terrifying and bizarre are the most fun. I like the adrenaline rush of sharing fictional fear with others,” she said.

Today, Pardue reaches audiences both in person and online, where she focuses on building connections through stories grounded in research and regional history.

“I tend to resist the term ‘influencer,’ since that has the connotation of someone trying to sell followers on some product, which isn’t what I do at all,” Pardue said. “However, the truth is that I see I’m reaching folks of all walks of life with information and stories, and I’ve learned that there’s a power in that. I’m careful in the stories I choose to tell – I research them thoroughly and highlight those that are both entertaining and shine a light into a corner of Southern culture or history that is deserving of more attention or conversation.”

Pardue said social media allows her to expand those conversations and discover new stories. “Sharing on social media is easy because it’s just an extension of who I am day-to-day; I’m constantly learning new fascinating things and then sharing it with someone. What’s cool about social media is that it broadens the conversations, and more often than not, someone will share with me information that I immediately go out and research. It’s a cool symbiosis.” 

One of those interesting subjects has been Rowan County and Salisbury. 

“Salisbury is a dense space for folklore and American history in and of itself,” said Pardue. “I’ve made videos about Cheerwine and the women of the Salisbury Bread Riot, but that’s not nearly everything going on in Rowan County’s lore.” 

Pardue also referenced the history of the Henderson Law Office, located on RPL Headquarters’ grounds. 

Travel is another source of inspiration for Pardue’s work. 

“I like to learn about anywhere I wander through its folklore,” she said. “Books are my favorite souvenirs.” 

On a recent trip to Iceland, for instance, she collected “a half-dozen books about Icelandic folklore, including the sagas, ghost stories, the Viking staves, and the history of persecution for sorcery after Nordic customs were abolished.”

Pardue is also a strong advocate for libraries and the role they play in connecting communities with information and opportunity. 

“Libraries are free, public resources to [a] vast amount of information and entertainment, ...equipped to help connect folks to career-building or educational tools, and they have a huge amount of varied programming that’s all free,” she said. “Plus, they’re quiet, lovely places to hang out and build community.”

Her own work continues to evolve through ongoing research and creative projects. 

“I was raised getting to try a lot of different subjects and activities every day, so I never did well when I had to pick just one full-time,” Pardue said. “I’ve just been published in “Garden & Gun,” which was thrilling, but I’m building new storytelling shows for 2027, launching a podcast, and working on a couple few books – a photo travelogue, a memoir, and another anthology of local spooky lore. You know, just something to keep me occupied.”

To learn more about Pardue and her work or to connect with her socials, visit www.lizzpardue.com. 

Find more information about Rowan Public Library and its resources, programs, and services at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.