West Virginia University Mountaineer Week

University Events Recognize Appalachain Heritage

Each year, West Virginia University holds “Mountaineer Week,” a weeklong celebration created to pay tribute to and honor West Virginia’s heritage and traditions. This year’s events kick off on Monday, October 30, and continue through Sunday, November 5. The events are meant to educate WVU students and generate awareness amongst the surrounding community about the culture that has made our state, and Mountaineer Country, what it is today.

The week offers multiple opportunities for students and community members alike to explore Appalachian heritage. Some of the main events taking place this year include the Arts & Craft Fair, Quilt Show, Appalachian lore, and axe throwing.

Visit the Mountainlair Ballrooms for the Mountaineer Week Arts & Craft Fair, and get your holiday shopping done early! Offering free admission, the Arts & Craft Fair will feature an array of artists. The fair is open on Friday, November 3, and Saturday, November 4, from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday, November 5, from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The Quilt Show at E. Moore Hall will also be open to the public on the same dates and times as the craft fair, displaying quilts from the Country Roads Quilt Guild. The craft fair and quilt show have been traditions of Mountaineer Week since 1972. 

Haunted Hollows: Spooky Stories of Appalachia, featuring three West Virginia storytellers, will take the stage on Wednesday, November 1, in the Mountaineer Room in the Mountainlair Student Union. Immerse yourself in stories from Appalachia as these seasoned artists share their words. 

Poet Lisa Kwong, author of Becoming AppalAsian is this year’s Appalachian Writer of Color Series reader for the Humanities Center. She will be reading at the WVU Downtown Campus Library Milano Room on Monday, October 30, at 7:30 p.m. Join this poet to listen to her stories of Appalachia. 

Get your axe throwing on in front of the Mountainlair with Mountain Man Axe Throwing on Monday, October 30, and Thursday, November 2 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

It’s not Mountaineer Week without food! Delicious options ranging from fair treats and Appalachian foods (Hello, free samples!) to a variety of food trucks will be available around campus throughout the week. For a complete list of food options and purchasing details, click here

Passing through the Downtown Campus? You may hear some sweet sounds of Appalachia. Mountaineer Week holds several music events for students and visitors to engage in on-campus in the Mountainlair Food Court, Mountaineer Ballrooms, Mountaineer Potomac Room, and E. Moore Hall. You may also see a demonstration of apple butter making in progress!

(image via mountaineerweek.wvu.edu)

As part of the week’s festivities, WVU students have the chance to compete in various competitions, like the Writing Appalachia Contest, the Beard Growing Competition, and the Photo Contest. 

And don’t forget: WVU’s next football game is on Saturday, November 4 against the BYU Cougars! Get the latest game day guide for the season and check out tailgating tips before you go!

Learn about other events happening in and around Mountaineer Country by visiting our Events Calendar. Book your hotel for this exciting, cultural week full of activities the whole family can enjoy!

Share your Mountaineer Week experiences with us by using #VisitMountaineerCountry and #MountaineerWeek2023, and we may share your photos on social!


Interested in attending more than one event this weekend? Stay overnight at one of the many hotels and lodgings in Morgantown. Click to reserve your stay.