Appalachian Festival
Sarah McIntire
Issue date: 9/24/08 Section: News
The weekend of September 20 brought a traditional celebration of local pride to Frostburg and FSU in the form of the annual Appalachian Festival.
Over the course of two beautiful almost-autumn days, our campus was home to an extensive symposium on the Appalachian environment, workshops and hands-on demonstrations to entertain all ages, bluegrass and traditional folk music and dancing, and a series called "Appalachian Explorations." There were also food vendors doling out all sorts of fare, local artisans providing demonstrations, and discussions with the Western Maryland Archeology Association, Garrett County Living History Program, and the FSU Wildlife Society, among many others.
Frostburg's Historic Palace Theater on Main Street hosted the Appalachian Film Festival, and documentary filmmaker Jacob Young was there to present three films focused around the lives of West Virginians. Young hosted a discussion on these films following the presentation.
One of the most exciting and most talked-about performances of Saturday evening was brought to us by Robin & Linda Williams and Their Fine Group, a band that now hails from Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Robin & Linda Williams have an extensive career that includes performances at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and those who attended the Appalachian Festival were quite fortunate to enjoy the sounds of this great musical team.
Appalachian Fest is always a wonderful opportunity for local pride to shine through, and it's also an important learning experience for FSU students who come from other parts of the state and are not deeply familiar with rich Appalachian culture. If you missed it this year, be sure to add it to your calendar next year. You'll be amazed by just how much music, food, culture, and excitement come together to be highlighted for one divine weekend every fall in Frostburg.
Over the course of two beautiful almost-autumn days, our campus was home to an extensive symposium on the Appalachian environment, workshops and hands-on demonstrations to entertain all ages, bluegrass and traditional folk music and dancing, and a series called "Appalachian Explorations." There were also food vendors doling out all sorts of fare, local artisans providing demonstrations, and discussions with the Western Maryland Archeology Association, Garrett County Living History Program, and the FSU Wildlife Society, among many others.
Frostburg's Historic Palace Theater on Main Street hosted the Appalachian Film Festival, and documentary filmmaker Jacob Young was there to present three films focused around the lives of West Virginians. Young hosted a discussion on these films following the presentation.
One of the most exciting and most talked-about performances of Saturday evening was brought to us by Robin & Linda Williams and Their Fine Group, a band that now hails from Shenandoah Valley, Virginia. Robin & Linda Williams have an extensive career that includes performances at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and those who attended the Appalachian Festival were quite fortunate to enjoy the sounds of this great musical team.
Appalachian Fest is always a wonderful opportunity for local pride to shine through, and it's also an important learning experience for FSU students who come from other parts of the state and are not deeply familiar with rich Appalachian culture. If you missed it this year, be sure to add it to your calendar next year. You'll be amazed by just how much music, food, culture, and excitement come together to be highlighted for one divine weekend every fall in Frostburg.
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