Mountain Heritage Days 2025

Join CCESL at MHD! Volunteers at the entry gates will welcome guests, handout SH inserts, answer questions, requires standing, familiar with festival map, count guests with clicker Western Carolina University has proudly hosted the Mountain Heritage Day festival on the last Saturday in September for 50 years! This cherished tradition has been the university’s gift to the community, preserving Appalachian culture and traditions through education. Starting this year, the festival is getting an exciting, fresh, new look! The festival will now span an entire week, featuring newly added programming such as evening faculty-led lectures with hands-on involvement, heritage demonstrators on the plaza, and a Friday night concert at Bridge Park in Sylva. As such, the event will now be called Mountain Heritage Days. We will continue to offer an array of family-friendly activities on Saturday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, including cultural demonstrations, music, clogging, mule and tractor rides, traditional arts and crafts vendors, festival food, and much more! The shift to a week-long model provides additional opportunities for patrons to participate and enhances the visitor experience. We are confident that the new format will allow everyone to become immersed in Appalachian culture and history, keeping the tradition alive for another 50 years. The university remains committed to its mission of educating our campus and community about these beloved traditions. For the most up-to-date information on the week of activities, check back in closer to the event and follow us on Facebook!

Bardo Afternoon Concert Volunteers will assist the Bardo Fine Arts Center during the final event of the weeklong series. These volunteers will greet guests, handout programs, and serve as usher. This position requires standing, walking, and customer service. This position will include on-site training before the concert. Western Carolina University has proudly hosted the Mountain Heritage Day festival on the last Saturday in September for 50 years! This cherished tradition has been the university’s gift to the community, preserving Appalachian culture and traditions through education. Starting this year, the festival is getting an exciting, fresh, new look! The festival will now span an entire week, featuring newly added programming such as evening faculty-led lectures with hands-on involvement, heritage demonstrators on the plaza, and a Friday night concert at Bridge Park in Sylva. As such, the event will now be called Mountain Heritage Days. We will continue to offer an array of family-friendly activities on Saturday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, including cultural demonstrations, music, clogging, mule and tractor rides, traditional arts and crafts vendors, festival food, and much more! The shift to a week-long model provides additional opportunities for patrons to participate and enhances the visitor experience. We are confident that the new format will allow everyone to become immersed in Appalachian culture and history, keeping the tradition alive for another 50 years. The university remains committed to its mission of educating our campus and community about these beloved traditions. For the most up-to-date information on the week of activities, check back in closer to the event and follow us on Facebook!

Volunteers for the vendor rows will assist the vendors in unloading and loading as needing and rotating for vendor breaks. Western Carolina University has proudly hosted the Mountain Heritage Day festival on the last Saturday in September for 50 years! This cherished tradition has been the university’s gift to the community, preserving Appalachian culture and traditions through education. Starting this year, the festival is getting an exciting, fresh, new look! The festival will now span an entire week, featuring newly added programming such as evening faculty-led lectures with hands-on involvement, heritage demonstrators on the plaza, and a Friday night concert at Bridge Park in Sylva. As such, the event will now be called Mountain Heritage Days. We will continue to offer an array of family-friendly activities on Saturday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, including cultural demonstrations, music, clogging, mule and tractor rides, traditional arts and crafts vendors, festival food, and much more! The shift to a week-long model provides additional opportunities for patrons to participate and enhances the visitor experience. We are confident that the new format will allow everyone to become immersed in Appalachian culture and history, keeping the tradition alive for another 50 years. The university remains committed to its mission of educating our campus and community about these beloved traditions. For the most up-to-date information on the week of activities, check back in closer to the event and follow us on Facebook!

Volunteers for this activity will assist as needed with the annual Chainsaw Competition! Western Carolina University has proudly hosted the Mountain Heritage Day festival on the last Saturday in September for 50 years! This cherished tradition has been the university’s gift to the community, preserving Appalachian culture and traditions through education. Starting this year, the festival is getting an exciting, fresh, new look! The festival will now span an entire week, featuring newly added programming such as evening faculty-led lectures with hands-on involvement, heritage demonstrators on the plaza, and a Friday night concert at Bridge Park in Sylva. As such, the event will now be called Mountain Heritage Days. We will continue to offer an array of family-friendly activities on Saturday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, including cultural demonstrations, music, clogging, mule and tractor rides, traditional arts and crafts vendors, festival food, and much more! The shift to a week-long model provides additional opportunities for patrons to participate and enhances the visitor experience. We are confident that the new format will allow everyone to become immersed in Appalachian culture and history, keeping the tradition alive for another 50 years. The university remains committed to its mission of educating our campus and community about these beloved traditions. For the most up-to-date information on the week of activities, check back in closer to the event and follow us on Facebook!

Volunteers for the pickin' circle will Assist performers as needed, monitor sound system, restock water, and shift haybales as needed. Western Carolina University has proudly hosted the Mountain Heritage Day festival on the last Saturday in September for 50 years! This cherished tradition has been the university’s gift to the community, preserving Appalachian culture and traditions through education. Starting this year, the festival is getting an exciting, fresh, new look! The festival will now span an entire week, featuring newly added programming such as evening faculty-led lectures with hands-on involvement, heritage demonstrators on the plaza, and a Friday night concert at Bridge Park in Sylva. As such, the event will now be called Mountain Heritage Days. We will continue to offer an array of family-friendly activities on Saturday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, including cultural demonstrations, music, clogging, mule and tractor rides, traditional arts and crafts vendors, festival food, and much more! The shift to a week-long model provides additional opportunities for patrons to participate and enhances the visitor experience. We are confident that the new format will allow everyone to become immersed in Appalachian culture and history, keeping the tradition alive for another 50 years. The university remains committed to its mission of educating our campus and community about these beloved traditions. For the most up-to-date information on the week of activities, check back in closer to the event and follow us on Facebook!

Volunteers for the Balsam Tent will assist performers as needed, monitor sound system, restock water, and shift haybales as needed. Western Carolina University has proudly hosted the Mountain Heritage Day festival on the last Saturday in September for 50 years! This cherished tradition has been the university’s gift to the community, preserving Appalachian culture and traditions through education. Starting this year, the festival is getting an exciting, fresh, new look! The festival will now span an entire week, featuring newly added programming such as evening faculty-led lectures with hands-on involvement, heritage demonstrators on the plaza, and a Friday night concert at Bridge Park in Sylva. As such, the event will now be called Mountain Heritage Days. We will continue to offer an array of family-friendly activities on Saturday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, including cultural demonstrations, music, clogging, mule and tractor rides, traditional arts and crafts vendors, festival food, and much more! The shift to a week-long model provides additional opportunities for patrons to participate and enhances the visitor experience. We are confident that the new format will allow everyone to become immersed in Appalachian culture and history, keeping the tradition alive for another 50 years. The university remains committed to its mission of educating our campus and community about these beloved traditions. For the most up-to-date information on the week of activities, check back in closer to the event and follow us on Facebook!

As part of Western Carolina University's 2025 Mountain Heritage Days celebration, Pickin’ in the Park with The Well Drinkers promises an unforgettable evening of music and community. Set against the scenic backdrop of Sylva’s Bridge Park, this outdoor concert features The Well Drinkers, a progressive original bluegrass band known for their dynamic sound and fresh take on Appalachian traditions. Attendees are encouraged to bring a seat and settle in for a lively performance that blends innovation with heritage, all in the heart of the mountains.

This year’s theme “Matrilineal Worldmaking (Vision of What’s Possible)” honors the power of matrilineal societies, where kinship, inheritance, and identity are traced through the mother’s line. These visionary leaders will share insights on Indigenous knowledge, reproductive sovereignty, and the enduring strength of matrilineal traditions. Featured Topic: Doula Training and the Historical Significance of Birth Supporters. In the Kituwah language:​ Di gi tsi/ de da li he li sdi sgv/ i de hv i​ To acknowledge and give thanks to our mothers for our life/lives.