Mountain Heritage Day

Western Carolina University will hold its 44th annual Mountain Heritage Day, a community event on campus that showcases traditional Southern Appalachian culture through music, dance, skills and crafts, on Saturday, Sept. 29. 

Ranked as one of the top 20 festivals by the Southeast Tourism Society, the event typically draws 15,000 or more visitors. There will be free parking, free shuttle service and free admission, and leashed dogs will be allowed on the grounds.

What started as Founders’ Day on Oct. 26, 1974, at the inauguration ceremony of then WCU Chancellor H.F. “Cotton” Robinson is still, albeit much bigger, the same downhome event.

“From the very beginning, Mountain Heritage Day has been a celebration of Appalachian culture and traditions, where university and community volunteers come together to create an event that expresses our pride in this region’s diverse heritage,” said Pam Meister, director of WCU’s Mountain Heritage Center, a regional museum and resource center located on campus. “I think Mountain Heritage Day is special because it invites everyone—whether they’re ‘from around here’ or not—to actively participate in the festival, learn a little and have a lot of fun.”

Song

Music is one of Mountain Heritage Day’s prime attractions. Visitors can expect bluegrass, gospel and old-time mountain music from locally-based and nationally acclaimed bands, with more than 20 performances throughout the day. 

Longtime festival favorites and America’s Got Talent semi-finalists, Summer Brooke and Mountain Faith are no strangers to Mountain Heritage Day. Western Carolina university student Summer Brooke and family have traveled across the country playing their own brand of Americana and roots music at festivals, churches and universities, averaging 150 performances per year.

Balsam Range is a critically acclaimed bluegrass group of acoustic musicians and singers with roots in Western North Carolina. With 10 International Bluegrass Music Association Award wins, Balsam Range has toured across the nation and are a tailor-made Mountain Heritage Day favorite.

International Bluegrass Association’s “Fiddler of the Year” Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper are this year’s newest addition to the festival performance line up. Cleveland is a young, blind fiddle player with an explosive talent on stage that earned a 2018 Grammy nomination. With his band, Flamekeeper and appearances on the Grand Ole Opry and “A Prairie Home Companion” under his belt, this virtuoso will be right at home at Mountain Heritage Day.

Performing for more than 30 years and being crowd favorites at Mountain Heritage Day almost from the beginning, Whitewater Bluegrass Company plays bluegrass, country and mountain swing with grace and humor. Audience involvement is a priority for any Whitewater Bluegrass Company performance, and they get everyone involved with true Southern charm and manners.

The Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church’s Adult Choir has a history of appearances at Mountain Heritage Day and are celebrating their 51st anniversary this year. Located in Asheville, the Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church was established in 1928 by a small group of former Hill Street Baptist Church members. As the small congregation grew, a choir was formed in the late 1940s. The Tried Stone Young Adult Choir was formed and is still led by Deacon J. Cornell Proctor. In 2001, Procter accepted the 27th annual Mountain Heritage Day award on behalf of the Tried Stone Young Adult Choir. The award celebrated their 40-plus years of continued tradition of African-American gospel music in the mountains.

Check out the circle tent where you can participate in crafts, workshops and learn about mountain heritage through interactive shaped note and ballad singing. Shaped note singing is a traditional form of music reading that has been practiced by local church congregations and communities since the early 19th century. The music notes in hymnals are represented by different shapes that are easy to recognize and sing so that anyone can join in.

Ballad singing is a traditional form of folk song and has been practiced in the southern mountains since the first British colonialists settled in the region. Unlike the contemporary love songs that many people associate ballad singing with, this form of song focuses on storytelling. Ballad stories have been preserved through generations and performances allows the audience to listen to exciting and vibrant tales that bring Appalachian history to life. 

Dance 

The Bailey Mountain Cloggers are an American Folk Dance ensemble who are also regular festival attendees due to their popularity and skill. The team was founded over 40 years ago by a group of passionate Mars Hill College students in North Carolina, and have since performed all over the world. With 21 national awards, the college clog team is a fun mix of traditional and contemporary dance and they never fail to bring their high energy to the stage.

There will be a few new additions to the clogging line up this year with performances from the Apple Blossom and Southern Mountain Fire Cloggers. Based in Salem, South Carolina, the Apple Blossoms are one of the many subgroups of the Blue Ridge Mountain Cloggers. This group is dedicated to the preservation of traditional clogging. Southern Mountain Fire was established in Asheville and has performed in various festivals and events across the county. This year, they will be adding Mountain Heritage Day to their calendar.

Cherokee culture

It wouldn’t be regional without inclusion of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Demonstrations of traditional Cherokee song, dance and handiwork are an important part of the festival as the native culture of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Cherokee pottery, beadwork, coppersmithing, basketry and finger-weaving, as well as arrowheads, knife blades and spear points, will be demonstrated. Legends and stories will come to life through stone and wood carvings that create figures representing Cherokee myths and tales.

Then there’s stickball. A festival favorite, the ancient game is played by Cherokee youth and adult teams. Stick ball is an action-packed sport much like lacrosse, the players use hickory sticks to get a small ball into a goal. Historically, this game could last for days and was referred to as “the little brother of war,” as it was so rough and was sometimes used to settle disputes.

Family fun

Year after year, Mountain Heritage Day has shared the rich culture of the mountains with young ones through activities that are not only informational, but fun and exciting.

Whether it’s learning about local arts and crafts in the children’s tent, competing in sack races or riding in a hay wagon, the festival hosts games and activities suitable for all ages.

Living-history demonstrations include the firing of muzzle-loading rifles, the fire and forge of blacksmithing, furniture-making, banjo-making and corn shuck crafts such as dolls, rugs and brooms. Experts with draft animals will demonstrate traditional skills of harnessing and driving horse- and mule-drawn wagons of bygone days. Hard work and detailed knowledge will be featured in a logging skills demonstration, including cross-cut saw sharpening, while attendees can become participants by riding a wagon pulled by an old-fashioned tractor.

Competitions, contests and awards

From the tasty “Best in the West” recipe showdown to the People’s Choice car show, friendly competition and has always been a tradition and hallmark of the day. A panel of judges and sometimes even other festival goers decide the winners of each contest. Events you may run across during the festival might include the chainsaw and crosscut saw competition, 

With more than 300 people entering various contests to take home ribbons and trophies, contests play a big role in showcasing the best of local talents. A 5K race begins at 8 a.m. and winds its way through the campus. A nationally recognized chainsaw and timber sports event draws numerous competitors. A vintage, classic and antique car and truck show is a viewers’ choice contest, with attendees able to walk among the vehicles and cast votes, with trophies presented to the winning picks.

Along with contests, special awards are also given to honor organizations and individuals who have contributed to the research, understanding, and preservation of Southern Appalachian history and culture. 

The Mountain Heritage Award is given annually to an individual and organization that has proven commitment in researching, preserving Southern Appalachian history and culture.

The first recipient of the Mountain Award was the late John Parris in 1976. The award celebrated his dedication to the preservation of mountain culture through his writing in the “Roaming the Mountains” columns in the Asheville Citizen-Times and in heading the establishment of the Mountain Heritage Center.

Mountain Heritage Day award recipients are nominated by members of the community who send letters to the Mountain Heritage center that states a person or individual’s role as a teacher, advocate, leader or preserver of mountain culture. 

Vendors 

At the heart of Mountain Heritage Day are the people who continue to keep mountain culture alive. The festival hosts more than 140 different vendors who offer everything from classic mountain fare to locally made pottery and wood crafts. The festival is a good opportunity to support the locals who keep the Smokies and Blue Ridge spirit alive. A large and varied selection of arts and crafts will be available from vendors. Among the items on sale will be baskets, including handwoven and wood and vine construction, and ceramics such as pottery, stoneware and earthenware. Corn shuck art and toys, quilts, cotton rag rugs and other fiber handwork, weaving and wearables such as scarves will be on hand along with knitted and crocheted pieces. Handcrafted furniture and housewares, several types of glassworks, jewelry, leather goods (including belts) and metal work will be sold.

You Can Go

Directions to Western Carolina University and Mountain Heritage Day are easy, no matter which direction you come from. Located near Sylva, reach campus by traveling N.C. 107 and follow signs to on-campus parking options.

The university’s CatTran will be running throughout the day to provide free shuttle service from parking areas to the Intramural Field, where the event is held. Buses also are equipped to serve persons with disabilities. 

Dogs must be leashed and under the handler’s control, and not interfere with any performance or activity or others’ enjoyment of the festival. Water and shaded places will be provided throughout the grounds and two festival volunteers will be assigned to assist in pet policy management. Keep in mind, any infractions will result in dogs and owners being removed from the premises by campus police for the duration of the festival. 

For more information, go to mountainheritageday.com or call 828.227.3039.