Ƶapp

Skip to main content

Mountain Heritage Days Logo

 

Mountain Heritage Days

September 22-27, 2025 – Ƶapp, Cullowhee NC

Ƶapp has proudly hosted the Mountain Heritage Day festival on the last Saturday in September for 50 years! This cherished tradition has been the university’s gift to the community, preserving Appalachian culture and traditions through education. Starting this year, the festival is getting an exciting, fresh, new look!

The festival will now span an entire week, featuring newly added programming such as evening faculty-led lectures with hands-on involvement, heritage demonstrators on the plaza, and a Friday night concert at Bridge Park in Sylva. As such, the event will now be called Mountain Heritage Days.

We will continue to offer an array of family-friendly activities on Saturday from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm, including cultural demonstrations, music, clogging, mule and tractor rides, traditional arts and crafts vendors, festival food, and much more! The shift to a week-long model provides additional opportunities for patrons to participate and enhances the visitor experience. We are confident that the new format will allow everyone to become immersed in Appalachian culture and history, keeping the tradition alive for another 50 years.

The university remains committed to its mission of educating our campus and community about these beloved traditions.

Detailed updates and instructions will be provided as we approach the Saturday event date. Please contact our Special Events department with specific questions or concerns regarding your vendor application at mhd@wcu.edu.

For the most up-to-date information on the week of activities, visit our website at mountainheritageday.org and follow us on Facebook. Check these locations for a full list of exciting, week-long activities for Mountain Heritage Days!

 

Alumni Clock Tower
Headshot of Chancellor Kelli Brown

“Mountain Heritage Day is a gift from Ƶapp to the community, and everyone from everywhere is welcome to attend. This family-oriented festival shows how much we value this incredible, beautiful region we call home and its diverse culture and history”

Dr. Kelli R. Brown

WCU Chancellor

Location


 Located on the campus of Ƶapp

Hosted and organized by Ƶapp, Mountain Heritage Day is located on WCU's main campus in Cullowhee.

Explore the Map

Schedule


 Mountain Heritage Day full Schedule

Cherokee Games, Music, Singing, Clogging, Arts, Crafts and more! See the full schedule for Mountain Heritage Day.

See the Schedule

Sponsors


sponsors

Mountain Heritage Day would not be possible without our generous community and sponsors! Discover our partners and learn how you can help.

Meet our sponsors

5K Walk/Run


5K Race

Walk/Run through the heart of Western Carolina Univeristy's campus by joining in the Mountain Heritage Day 5K Race!