2026 Festival Schedule

FRIDAY, SEPT. 25:

3:00 – Screening of the documentary “Reel ‘Em Boys, Reel ‘Em” — Shepherdstown Opera House (German Street)  This one-hour film, produced by Gerry Milnes and Becky Hill for the Augusta Heritage Center, explores the rural dance traditions of West Virginia through interviews with dancers, callers, and scholars with contemporary and archival footage of dance. Dance scholar Becky Hill will present the film and then lead a post-film discussion.

8 pm-10 pm – Old-Time Square Dance(Dance Caller: Becky Hill.) – King Street dance platform between Town Hall and Reynolds Hall. All ages, all genders, all skill-levels are welcome to dance to the sounds of our all-star old-time string band!                                            7:30 pm– Pre-dance workshop/beginner lesson with Becky Hill.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 26:

10 am-11:30 am – Singing Traditions in Appalachia/Ballads & Brunch (Community Singing and Balladry with Flora and Fern) – Alma Bea Restaurant – Brunch available for purchase.

11 am-1 pm – Shepherd University’s Little House Open (Princess St) with Appalachian Children’s Activities (Princess Street, Little House Lawn)

Noon – Black Traditions in Appalachian Music with Jake Blount – Shepherdstown Opera House — Join folk musician and scholar Jake Blount as he traces the roots of the banjo, Black string band traditions, and Black influences in Appalachia during this lecture/performance.

1 pm to 4:00 pm — Visit the Shepherdstown Historic Museum – Entler Building, 129 E. German St.

1:30  pm – Appalachian Percussive Dance Traditions – Shepherdstown Opera House  Can’t get enough of dance? Join dancer/scholar Becky Hill to learn about the multicultural dance traditions of Appalachia from British and Irish step to clogging and buck dance traditions with Becky Hill

3:00 pm – Dave Bing Workshop: The Hammons Family and WV Fiddling Traditions – Reynolds Hall (King Street)

7:00-9:00 pm – Showcase Concert – King Street Outdoor Stage  Bring your favorite comfy lawn chair or pull up one of our folding chairs for a free concert showcasing Appalachian dance, string band music, and singing featuring Jake Blount, Dave Bing, and Becky Hill.

9:30 pm – Open Jam Session at Alma Bea Restaurant post-concert

Sunday, September 27: 

• 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. — Shepherdstown Farmers Market —  South King Street directly behind the Welcome Center — The SFM has brought locally-grown food to Shepherdstown for over 30 years with fresh food, crafts, plants, and live music 
• 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. — Visit the Shepherdstown Historic Museum at the Entler Hotel, 129 E. German St.