Augusta Heritage Festival

Augusta Heritage Festival is a renowned traditional music and arts festival held annually in Elkins, West Virginia, United States, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Appalachia and beyond, with influences from Scotland, Ireland, and England. The festival features a diverse range of performances, including Bluegrass music, Old-time music, and Cajun music, with notable appearances by Béla Fleck, Alison Krauss, and Del McCoury. As a celebration of traditional arts, the festival also highlights the work of National Endowment for the Arts-recognized masters, such as Mike Seeger and Elizabeth LaPrelle. With its strong emphasis on community engagement, the festival has become a staple of the West Virginia cultural scene, attracting visitors from across the United States, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

● History

The Augusta Heritage Festival was founded in 1973 by Gillespie and Dunsmore, with the goal of preserving and promoting the traditional music and arts of Appalachia, drawing inspiration from the Appalachian Stringband Festival and the National Folk Festival. The festival has since grown to become one of the largest and most respected traditional music festivals in the United States, with a rich history of showcasing talented performers, such as Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Doc Watson. The festival has also been influenced by the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the National Council for the Traditional Arts, and has featured performances by National Heritage Fellowship recipients, including Libba Cotten and Ralph Stanley. Over the years, the festival has hosted a wide range of performers, from Bill Monroe to Emmylou Harris, and has become a launching pad for the careers of emerging artists, such as Chris Thile and Sarah Jarosz.

● Festival Overview

The Augusta Heritage Festival takes place over the course of several days in July, featuring a wide range of performances, workshops, and activities, including Dance performances, such as Clogging and Square dance, and Craft demonstrations, such as Blacksmithing and Weaving. The festival is held on the campus of Davis & Elkins College, which provides a unique and intimate setting for the events, with its historic buildings and beautiful grounds, reminiscent of Asheville, North Carolina, and Berea, Kentucky. The festival also features a variety of food and craft vendors, offering traditional Appalachian cuisine, such as Barbecue and Biscuits and gravy, and handmade crafts, such as Woodcarving and Pottery, similar to those found at the Kentucky Folk Life Festival and the Tennessee State Fair.

● Events and Activities

The Augusta Heritage Festival offers a diverse range of events and activities, including performances by renowned musicians, such as Tony Trischka and Laurie Lewis, and workshops on traditional music and dance, led by instructors such as Mark O'Connor and Rayna Gellert. The festival also features a variety of activities for children, including Face painting and Craft workshops, similar to those offered at the National Zoo and the Children's Museum of the Arts. Additionally, the festival hosts a number of special events, such as the Gospel Sing and the Old-Time Dance, which are reminiscent of the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium. The festival also offers a range of Dance performances, including Clogging and Square dance, and Theater performances, such as Storytelling and Puppetry, similar to those found at the Spoleto Festival USA and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

● Notable Performers

The Augusta Heritage Festival has hosted a wide range of notable performers over the years, including Béla Fleck, Alison Krauss, and Del McCoury, as well as National Heritage Fellowship recipients, such as Libba Cotten and Ralph Stanley. The festival has also featured performances by emerging artists, such as Chris Thile and Sarah Jarosz, and has provided a platform for the preservation and promotion of traditional music and arts, similar to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and the Merlefest. Other notable performers who have appeared at the festival include Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and Doc Watson, as well as Mike Seeger and Elizabeth LaPrelle, who have all been recognized for their contributions to traditional music and arts by organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Folklore Society.

● Organization and Impact

The Augusta Heritage Festival is organized by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers, who work throughout the year to plan and prepare for the event, with support from organizations such as the National Council for the Traditional Arts and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. The festival has a significant impact on the local community, generating revenue and promoting tourism in Elkins, West Virginia, and providing a platform for the preservation and promotion of traditional music and arts, similar to the Appalachian Regional Commission and the National Park Service. The festival also offers a range of educational programs and workshops, which provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn about and engage with traditional music and arts, with instructors such as Mark O'Connor and Rayna Gellert, and has been recognized for its contributions to the field by organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Folklore Society.

● Attendance and Legacy

The Augusta Heritage Festival attracts thousands of visitors each year, from across the United States and around the world, including Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. The festival has a lasting impact on the community, with many visitors returning year after year, and has become a staple of the West Virginia cultural scene, with its rich history and tradition of showcasing talented performers, such as Bill Monroe and Emmylou Harris. The festival has also been recognized for its contributions to the preservation and promotion of traditional music and arts, with awards and recognition from organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Folklore Society, and has been featured in publications such as The New York Times and Rolling Stone, and has been compared to other notable festivals, such as the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the Austin City Limits Music Festival.

Category:Festivals in the United States