Appalachian Studies at Virginia Tech

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Appalachian Studies at Virginia Tech

The Appalachian Studies Program is an academic program supporting teaching, research, and service on

The Appalachian Studies Program is an academic program supporting teaching, research, and service on issues pertaining to Appalachia and its relationship to processes of globalization.

05/08/2026

FLY AWAY HOME FEST: Celebrating the Life & Legacy of Hazel Dickens! 🎶

We’re so excited to share this incredible event happening right in our region! Fly Away Home Fest is a 3-day celebration honoring bluegrass legend Hazel Dickens on what would be her 101st birthday! All proceeds benefit the Mercer and McDowell County chapters of the National Black Lung Association!

Born in Montcalm, WV, Hazel was known for her high, lonesome singing style and her powerful voice for working people and women. She was posthumously inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2017 and her legacy still impacts our communities today!

📅 Here’s the full weekend lineup:

Thursday, May 29 | 6–8:30pm
🎨 Silent Auction: An Evening with Olivia Ellen Lloyd
📍 Gary Bowling’s House of Art: Bluefield, WV

Friday, May 30 | 11:30am–8:45pm
🎵 Main Concert Day featuring:
The Local Honeys • Heather Hannah • Emma Ruth Shirey • Woodbine • Mill Creek Cronies • Annie Neeley • Olivia Ellen Lloyd • Dale Ann Bradley • and special guest Arnold “Buddy” Dickens and Company who is Hazel’s own nephew, visiting from Maryland to share stories and perform her songs!
📍 Glenwood Park Amphitheater: Princeton, WV

Sunday, May 31 | 11am–2pm
⛪ Gospel Service & Bible Study
📍 Pilgrim Baptist Church: Montcalm, WV

Food trucks, information booths, a classic car cruise-in, and a raffle for a rifle engraved with lyrics from Hazel’s iconic song “They’ll Never Keep Us Down” will round out the weekend. Bring a blanket or lawn chair!

💵 $35 suggested donation for Saturday, but no one will be turned away.

🔗 Full schedule & info: FlyAwayHomeFest.com
And you can donate online via link in our bio!

Come out and support Hazel’s memory! 🌞

04/25/2026

Last night, the Appalachian Studies family loaded up and headed to Floyd, Virginia for an unforgettable Friday Night Jamboree at the Floyd Country Store! 🪕 Around 20 of us carpooled down, danced with strangers who quickly became friends, and soaked in everything that makes this region so special. We started off the night with some ice cream from the Soda Fountain. The music inside flowed out into the street where so many great musicians were in action! We even ran into visitors from Alaska and Florida who were drawn to the music just like us! We thank the people of The Floyd Country Store for their hospitality and look forward to the next one! 💚

04/24/2026

YOU’RE INVITED! 🫵🏻

As we wrap up this semester we want to celebrate with you! Join us for an afternoon luncheon with The Appalachian Studies Program! This is our time to gather, celebrate, listen to good music, and eat! 🍽️

📅 Monday, May 4th
🕛 12:00 – 2:00 PM
📍 Lane Hall, Room #132

Enjoy live music by the Solitude Strummers and delicious catering provided by Our Daily Bread Bakery & Bistro! 🪕

RSVP and submit your lunch order by April 30th using the link below (or in our bio)!

Please feel free to bring friends who are interested in finding out more about the Appalachian Cultures & Environments Pathways minor or just want to hang! We can’t wait to see you there! ❤️

🔗 https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdne6ZBp9wy_BJvEmKcgA8s9SjgzG0vcyRy7pNX5im3wlGhtw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=110588885840683912743

04/22/2026

Celebrate Healthy Habits in Our Holler! 🦋
Come as you are and hang with us at the NRHE Quad on Wednesday, May 6th from 5–7 PM for an evening full of Appalachian joy!

Here’s what’s in store:
🍑 Cobbler + Self-Care — Complete a Dolly Parton-themed community self-care activity and reward yourself with free peach cobbler and ice cream!
🪕 Music + Meet Others — Kick back on your picnic blanket, enjoy live banjo music, and learn about the Appalachian Studies minor from our campus partners!
🌰 Luck + A Birdbuck — Discover the Appalachian tradition of the lucky buckeye heading into finals week AND earn a Birdbuck from Hokie Wellness!

This event is welcome to everyone so feel free to bring a friend and pack a blanket!

Where?📍 NRHE Quad
When? 🕔 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
What day? 📅 Wednesday, May 6

04/13/2026

A special brand new course is coming your way for Fall 2026!

Faith & Superstition in Appalachia (APS/RLCL 2454) invites you to ask the big questions. Who decides what counts as scientific knowledge or spiritual belief? Where is faith and spirituality expressed or practiced?

In this course, you’ll study both official and unofficial practices across the region, including shrines and grottos, feasts and fasting, care for the dead, foot washing, worship music, planting by the signs, talismans, healing, prediction, prayer, magic, holy days, sacred places, and so much more. 🕯️

📅 Meets Tuesday & Thursday @ 11AM
📚 Course number: APS/RLCL 2454
📩 Questions? Reach out to Dr. Scott McDaniel at [email protected]

Whether you’re curious about Appalachian traditions, religious studies, or the fascinating line between faith and folk belief, this course is for you. Don’t miss your chance to register!

04/09/2026

Virginia Tech’s Climate Action Commitment: Taking Stock and Moving Forward

Presented by VT’s Urban & Environmental Policy & Planning Program, Honors College, and Green Engineering Program!

📅 Wednesday, April 22nd
🕧 12:30 – 2:00 PM
📍 Squires Student Center 134 (Honors College Studio)
🥤 Light refreshments provided!

VT’s 2021 Climate Action Commitment sets ambitious goals across renewable energy, building efficiency, green procurement, and alternative transportation, and calls for a Climate Action Living Laboratory for teaching and research.

While progress has been made, work remains. Community buy-in is essential. This interactive event is your chance to learn about progress to date and join the conversation on how we can make Virginia Tech the most vibrant and sustainable campus possible.

Please join us and register in advance!
🔗 LINK IN BIO TO REGISTER!
♿ Need an accommodation or have questions? Contact Todd Schenk at [email protected] at least 10 days before the event.

04/03/2026

Shoutout to Appalachia Service Project at Virginia Tech for putting in the work for their community! These dedicated students have been busy remodeling the bathroom at the Future Economy Collective space on N. Main Street in Blacksburg

ASP is actively looking for their next project! Know someone in the New River Valley in need of construction or repair help? Reach out at [email protected]

Students, would you like to get involved? Find them on GobberConnect! Link in bio!

04/02/2026

Check out this cool storymap documenting geographic variation in pronunciations of “Appalachia.” It’s a collaboration between the Appodlachia podcast and the Speech Lab at VT with leadership from Dr. Abby Walker, Associate Professor of Language Sciences in the Department of English.

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6cf9b181da634f88946fae73ef499a60

04/01/2026

Yesterday, our Music Traditions in Appalachia class made the trip to the Floyd Country Store to experience some Appalachian music traditions firsthand. Thank you to everyone who made the trip possible and our great students! 🪕

Address

Blacksburg, VA
24061

Website

https://liberalarts.vt.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/appalachian-studies-minor.html, https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ho

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