There’s something for everyone each fall on the intramural fields of Western Carolina University. Mountain Heritage Day is an annual event boasting numerous vendors and activities such as McNeely’s Chainsaw Competition and wood carving demonstration, live music, dance performances, Cherokee Indian stickball demonstration games, the Andy Ford Classic Car show and more.
A bright start to WCU’s 48th Annual Mountain Heritage day on Sept. 24, 2022 as community members are already busy exploring the vendor’s tents at only 10AM.Adam Maxon and his 1971 Poulan Chainsaw competing in the “homeowner” category of the McNeely’s Chainsaw Competition.All smiles as the audience views the first of four clogging performances of the day on Harrah’s Blue Ridge Stage, the Foxfire Boys band and Lil Mountain Wildfire clogging team.Under one of the 120+ food and craft vendor tents on the field are Lily Ryan and Addison Rush, advertising for their Christian church & podcast.Chancellor Kelli R. Brown presenting Louise and Butch Goings a Mountain Heritage Award for their Cherokee basketry, woodcarving and flint napping demonstrations at the event.The Wolftown Indian Stickball Team traveled to Cullowhee to represent the influence and culture of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians through two stickball demonstration games, one with their regular team, and the other with their youth team.Many activities were offered for children during the event, including wagon rides, hay rides, arts and crafts, mountain skills, dancing and more. Both the wagon and hay rides were provided by local farmers, including Darnell Farms.A 1965 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C Factory Built Race Car, one of the more than 20 classic cars hosted by The Andy Shaw Ford Classic Car Show for event attendees to admire and vote for their favorites.A wide variety of food vendors serving to attendees, offering locally based and multi-cultural foods for even further exploration and inclusion.The award-winning Bailey Mountain Cloggers traveled from Mars Hill to perform two cultural clogging shows in front of Harrah’s Blue Ridge Stage, their dances brought to life by the Whitewater Bluegrass Company band.
Lili Stapel 