NEWS

West Virginia University at Parkersburg 300 Campus Drive Parkersburg WV 26104 Phone:  304-424-8203 | Fax:  304-424-8315

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Spinning and weaving, candle making and blacksmithing will be among the featured activities at the second annual Appalachian Heritage Day being held Thursday (Oct. 14) at West Virginia University at Parkersburg.

Demonstrations, displays, discussions and performances all will be part of the salute to the area's Appalachian culture.  The 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. festivities are free and open to the public.  A 7 p.m. bonfire complete with hot cocoa and ghost stories will conclude the day.

"We've featured activities that celebrate the Appalachian diversity that enriches our experiences in the unique culture of our region,"  noted Gregg Busch, sociology instructor, whose class, "Sociology of Appalachia and Rural Life," coordinates the day.

Activities are planned on the campus front lawn, in the college's multi-purpose room and theater as well as in several classroom areas.

Throughout the day, demonstrations will include candle making, soap making, basket making, spinning, weaving, pickle making, blacksmithing, traditional Appalachian music making, quilting, apple butter making.  Displays will include Appalachian nature photography and prints, wildlife conservation and hunting and trapping in Appalachia, quilts, tourism in West Virginia, and geology of Appalachia.

Discussions are planned on such topics as the Appalachian role in the Underground Railroad, the African American History in Appalachia and the Sumner School, the History of Wood County, and Oil and Gas Exploration in Appalachia.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be a celebration of Appalachian culture through traditional games on the front lawn.  Included will be horseshoes, skillet throwing, sack races, and an old fashioned pie eating contest.

Representatives of several social service organizations that support the betterment of life for Appalachian residents will be present in the college's multi-purpose room. These include Habitat for Humanity, Youth Advocacy Office of West Virginia, Family Crisis Intervention Center, and Eve, Inc. 

From 10-11a.m., Susannah Holstein, an award-winning storyteller, will provide Appalachian storytelling in Room 2536.   From 11a.m.-Noon, Suzy McGinley, WV Library Commission Statewide Children's Consultant, will conduct a discussion entitled "Appalachian/WV Children's Literature Program" in the theater.  During the lunch hour from Noon-1 p.m., Appalachian Folk Music by Mike Morningstar will be in the Multipurpose Room.  From 1-2pm, Pat Cooper will perform "History Alive: A Dramatic Portrayal of 'Mad' Anne Bailey" in Room 2536.

At 7 p.m., a bonfire with ghost stories told by Susan Sheppard will conclude the day on the front lawn.

The Appalachian celebration is made possible by funding through the college's social justice committee.  Additional information is available by contacting Busch at 424-8253.

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For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
Executive Director for Communications
WVU Parkersburg
(304-424-8203)