Artisans, Students, and community members came together during WVU’s Arts and Craft Fair – a part of Mountaineer Week. The Arts and Crafts fair was held in and around the Mountainlair, November 2, 2019. (WVU Photo)
Mountaineer Week (Nov. 1-7) is just around the corner, with some familiar traditions like apple butter and kettle corn, and some new ones including lunchtime concerts and old-time storytelling. The annual celebration of Appalachian heritage is now in its 74th year on West Virginia University’s Morgantown campus.
“We are so excited to once again celebrate our rich Mountaineer heritage with on-campus events,” said Kristie Stewart-Gale, marketing and advertising manager for WVU Arts & Entertainment. “Our students have been busy planning for quite some time.”
The celebration begins at noon Monday (Nov. 1) with the Beard Growing Contest judging in the Mountainlair Food Court. The week will conclude with the Arts & Craft Fair (Mountainlair Ballrooms) and Quilt Show (E. Moore Hall) Nov. 5-7. Both the fair and the quilt show open at 11 a.m. Friday. There is no admission fee for either event.
See a complete list of artisans.
The lunchtime concerts will feature a variety of folk artists, including old-time bluegrass and original mountain music band The Hillbilly Gypsies and Sound of the Mountains, an old-time music and gospel band featuring hammered dulcimers, fiddles and a banjo uke.
Demonstrations during the week include:
- Wood carving, apple butter making, contemporary art and avian conservation demonstrations will be held outside the Mountainlair during the second half of the week.
- Glenda Pierce of Stellasdots will demonstrate decorative painting Thursday (Nov. 4) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Rich Beakman will demonstrate his whittling skills Friday (Nov. 5) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and again Sunday (Nov. 7) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Beakman will also offer some of his pieces for sale.
- Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church will be making and selling apple butter Friday and Saturday (Nov. 5-6) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.,· Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia will showcase their efforts to conserve the region’s wild birds Saturday (Nov. 6) from noon to 3 p.m.
- Thursday (Nov. 4) at 5 p.m., Tales from Appalachia, featuring Bil Lepp, host of the History Channel’s “Man vs. History” series, and storytellers James Froemel and JoAnn Dadisman will be held in the Mountainlair Gluck Theatre.
- Friday (Nov. 5) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., a Mountaineer Week Square Dance, featuring caller Taylor Runner, will be held in the Mountainlair Food Court.
Mountaineers of Distinction (formerly Mr./Ms. Mountaineer) and Most Loyal Mountaineers will be announced during halftime at the WVU football game against Oklahoma State Saturday, Nov. 6, at Milan Puskar Stadium.
See a full schedule of events.
The Mountaineer Week Arts & Craft Fair is presented by Uptown Cheapskate. Lunchtime concerts and student competitions are presented by University Apartments. Stay connected with WVU Arts & Entertainment for the latest event updates through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by following @wvuevents.
-WVU -
ksg/10/28/21
CONTACT: Kristie Stewart-Gale
Marketing and Advertising Manager
WVU Arts & Entertainment
304-293-8221; kristie.stewart-gale@mail.wvu.edu
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