WVU to celebrate Appalachian traditions during Mountaineer Week
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The 79th annual West Virginia University Mountaineer Week celebration of Appalachian heritage begins Monday, Nov. 9, and continues through Sunday, Nov. 15. During the week, students, faculty, staff, and visitors can enjoy cultural demonstrations, music, storytelling, food, and crafts from across the Appalachian region.
The Beard Growing Contest officially kicks off the week at noon Monday, Nov. 9. Six students will compete for the title of "best beard on campus" during judging in the Mountainlair Food Court. Each contestant received a professional shave in September courtesy of Classic Cutz. The Beard Growing Contest was first held in 1949 and is the oldest continuously held event during Mountaineer Week. The top three finishers will receive cash prizes and a shaving kit.
Several traditional arts will be featured throughout the week. Kathryn Robinson, a local fiber artist, returns with weaving demonstrations Nov. 9-11. Attendees have an opportunity to contribute to the Mountaineer Week community loom project. Local printmaker and Housing and Residence Life employee Blaire Phillips will host printmaking demonstrations Nov. 9-10. The Quilting a Culture of Purpose workshop on Tuesday, Nov. 10, will provide an opportunity for attendees to decorate fabric quilt squares representing their CliftonStrengths. These squares will then be sewn together into a quilt for display in the WVU Career Center.
Mountaineer Week will feature two new demonstrations this year. The WVU Forestry Club will present a lumberjack demonstration outside of the Mountainlair Wednesday, Nov. 11, complete with chopping, sawing, and axe throwing. Natives Fly Fishing will present a fly-tying workshop Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Natural History Museum in Percival Hall.
Participants can also create a quilt-patterned button with the Graphic Design Club and make a beeswax candle with the Beekeeping Club Thursday, Nov. 12.
Mountaineer Week 2026 will showcase four gifted storytellers Thursday, Nov. 12, during the program "Out of the Woods: Echoes, Mimics, and the Unknown." The storytellers include Adam Booth, 2022 West Virginia Governor's Arts Award Folk Artist of the Year, Larry Jent, Fran Kirk, and Jo Ann Dadisman. The event begins at 6 p.m. in the Mountainlair Gluck Theater, and will include recognition of Appalachian Scholars Contest winners.
The Art Museum of WVU will host a white-line printmaking workshop at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, inspired by the Blanche Lazzell works currently on display in the galleries.
Two of Mountaineer Week's signature events, the Arts and Craft Fair and Quilt Show, will be held Nov. 13-15. The fair will take place on the second floor of the Mountainlair, and the Quilt Show will be on display in Elizabeth Moore Hall.
Shoppers can browse pottery, jewelry, books, hand-knitted scarves, food, photography, candles, bath and body items, and more. All artisans were selected by a jury for their craftsmanship, originality, and mastery. Find a complete list of participating artisans.
The Quilt Show is organized and staffed by members of the Country Roads Quilt Guild. It pays homage to the region's rich quilt and needlework heritage, and the quilts on display are all crafted by members of the guild.
Hours for both the Arts and Craft Fair and the Quilt Show are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, and Saturday, Nov. 14, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15.
The Mountainlair Food Court stage will feature Appalachian music throughout the week. Among scheduled performances are local favorites Al Anderson, The Hillbilly Biscuits, the WVU Bluegrass Band, and Matthew Keatley, affectionately known as the "Banjo Guy." Hammered dulcimer players Pat Harper and Jeff Fedan will also perform. Find the full list of performers.
Additional activities are planned during WVUp All Night, including line dancing hosted by Collegiate 4-H, and screenings of "October Sky" and "The Mothman Prophecies" Nov. 13-14.
Five seniors who exemplify the Mountaineer Values of Service, Curiosity, Respect, Accountability, and Appreciation will be named Mountaineers of Distinction during halftime ceremonies at the WVU vs. Kansas game Saturday, Nov. 14.
Additional events taking place throughout the week include Appalachian food sampling, a presentation by the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia, and an apple butter demonstration and sale. Vendors will offer a variety of festival foods in front of the Mountainlair throughout the week.