Shepherd University

Shepherd University’s Appalachian Heritage Festival is now celebrating its 29th year. Over that time, thousands of community members, schoolchildren, and students have been introduced to the diverse culture of Appalachia and our state through workshops, lectures, and concert performances by our region’s most outstanding artists, historians, and cultural ambassadors.

This year we have worked with our community sponsors, including Experience Shepherdstown, the Corporation of Shepherdstown, Alma Bea Restaurant, the Jefferson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Four Seasons Books, and a variety of wonderful community donors to build a weekend packed with free events.For more information, contact Rachael Meads at rmeads@shepherd.edu.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT THE FESTIVAL ARTISTS

FESTIVAL WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

Friday, September 12:

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. — Shepherdstown Welcome Center — Appalachian Art Exhibit and area info from our Jefferson County ambassadors

Enjoy a self-paced historic walking tour of Shepherdstown

Check out Shepherdstown’s amazing dining and shops! So many wonderful, unique experiences and finds! Art galleries including the unique Evolve rotating pop-up gallery and Skull City Studio.
6:00 p.m. — Potomac Fever: Reflections on the Nations River – free book talk with author Charlotte Taylor Fryar at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education at Shepherd University (213 N. King Street) sponsored by Four Seasons Bookstore

Like spooky history? Book a 90 minute evening walking tour with Shepherdstown Mystery Walks or Shepherdstown Ghost Tours

Saturday, September 13:

Saturday Appalachian Heritage Festival infographic

Jam sessions welcome on McMurran Hall lawn all day

11 a.m – 1 p.m. — Gospel Brunch at Alma Bea Restaurant, 202 E. Washington Street — Start your day off right with singing. All voices are welcome and song-leading will rotate. If you are not a singer, listen in while enjoying brunch and discover why WV Living Magazine named Alma Bea 2024’s “Best Appalachian Restaurant.”

1:30 p.m. — Flatfooting and Appalachian Percussive Dance with Soles in Motion (Kim Forry and Jan Scopel) — Shepherdstown Community Club/War Memorial Building (102 E. German St.) — Put on your dancing shoes and join Kim and Jan for a flatfooting and clogging workshop. They will demonstrate their styles and share some basics to get you on the dance floor.

2:45-3:45 pm — The Roots of the Banjo with Ben Townsend and Joshua Jimmerson — Outdoor Stage, N. King Street —Learn about the roots of the banjo, the first truly American instrument, as Ben Townsend and Joshua Jimmerson demonstrate old-time and bluegrass styles and talk about tradition and innovation in Appalachian music.

4:00 p.m. — Jack, Liars, and Tale Tales: The Origins of a Storyteller with Bil Lepp — Reynolds Hall Auditorium, 109 N. King Street — Experience Bil Lepp’s unique comedic storytelling style, learn about where he draws material, and how his approach draws on Appalachian traditions while also pushing the art of storytelling in new directions.

7:00 p.m. — Festival Showcase Concert — Outdoor Stage, N. King Street — Bring your favorite lawn chair or claim one of our folding chairs and relax for the Festival showcase concert featuring award-winning storyteller Bil Lepp, old-time musician Ben Townsend, percussive dance from Soles in Motion, bluegrass with Joshua Jimmerson, and a special ensemble of Shepherd University students The Latecomers.

Free but pay-what-you-can donations gratefully accepted.

9:30 pm-11 pm — Post-Concert Jam Session and Appalachian tapas — Alma Bea Restaurant, 202 E. Washington Street

NOTE ON INCLEMENT WEATHER:

In the event of rain, Saturday workshops will be moved inside Reynolds Hall and the concert will move indoors. Alerts will be posted online here and on the Festival Facebook pages.

Sunday, September 14:

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. — Shepherdstown Welcome Center Open — Appalachian Art Exhibit and area info from our Jefferson County ambassadors

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.

PARKING INFORMATION:

FREE parking is available in all Shepherd University parking lots after 4 pm on Friday. Visitors are welcome to park in any of the campus lots on weekends (no permit needed). Corporation of Shepherdstown parking info is also available HERE.