NC West Virginia News

West Virginia University is set to celebrate its Appalachian heritage with the 77th annual Mountaineer Week, running from November 11 to November 17. The event will feature a variety of activities highlighting the region's music, food, and arts and crafts.

The week will commence at noon on Monday with the Beard Growing Contest in the Mountainlair Food Court. Sixteen students will compete for the title of "best beard on campus." This contest, first held in 1949, is Mountaineer Week's oldest continual event. Participants received complimentary shaves from Classic Cutz and have been growing their beards for six weeks. Winners will receive cash prizes and shaving kits provided by University Apartments.

The Arts & Craft Fair, considered a signature event of Mountaineer Week, will take place from November 15-17 on the second floor of Mountainlair. Seventy Appalachian artisans were selected by jury to showcase their handcrafted items including wooden products, scarves, pottery, jewelry, and glassware.

A Quilt Show organized by members of the Country Roads Quilt Guild will also be featured. It honors the region’s quilt and needlework heritage and is open to the public at Elizabeth Moore Hall during specified hours over three days.

On Thursday (Nov. 14), scholars Gloria Goodwin Reheja from the University of Minnesota, Chris Haddox from WVU School of Art and Design, and Lori Hostuttler from West Virginia Regional History Center will discuss West Virginia’s folk traditions at an event titled “A Celebration of West Virginia Folk Music Traditions.” This discussion includes a musical performance supported by the West Virginia Humanities Council.

Visitors can explore West Virginia folklife through an exhibit showcasing documents and artifacts collected by notable folklorists such as Louise Watson Chappell.

Throughout Mountaineer Week, Appalachian music performances are scheduled at various venues including Samuel James, Emma Birdz and Tommy Thompson III among others. Bob Shank along with Pat Harper and Jeff Fedan will perform traditional dulcimer music during events like the Arts & Craft Fair.

Additional student activities include line dancing hosted by Collegiate 4-H as part of WVUp All Night events alongside concerts featuring local bands like Sweaty Hands String Band.

Five seniors who embody values such as Service or Curiosity will be recognized as Mountaineers of Distinction during halftime at Saturday’s football game against Baylor.

Other attractions include sampling Appalachian foods; an apple butter demonstration; an exhibit by Avian Conservation Center; plus festival food vendors outside Mountainlair offering diverse culinary options throughout this celebratory week honoring Appalachia’s rich cultural legacy.