Storytelling, turkey calling, fiddle music, food and fun is coming to West Virginia University Nov. 10-17.

These are just some of the Appalachian offerings that will abound on campus throughout the week as part of 53rd annual Mountaineer Week activities.

Such favorites as the arts and crafts fair and quilt show will be returning, said Sonja Wilson, Mountaineer Week coordinator, but many new attractions are also being offered.

“Hopes are high,”she said,”to attract people from the entire state and region to this years event, as well as including members of the University and Morgantown communities.”

One new attraction is certain to attract flocks.

“This year, well kick off Mountaineer Week with a sanctioned turkey calling contest sponsored by the Chestnut Ridge Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation,”she said.

Two champion callers, Dick and Kyle Clevenger, will give demonstrations at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, in the Mountainlair Commons area. On Saturday, Nov. 11, the first Mountaineer Week Turkey Calling Contest will be held from noon-3 p.m. in the Mountainlairs Gluck Theatre.

“There will be an amateur and open contest as well as the West Virginia State Friction Contest,”Wilson said.”This event should prove to be a crowd pleaser featuring the best turkey callers from West Virginia and surrounding states.”

Regional artisans will once again participate in the popular Mountaineer Week Craft Fair from noon-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 10-11, and from noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, in the Mountainlair ballrooms. The event is being sponsored by Adelphia.

Traditional Appalachian crafts as well as contemporary craftsitems such as pottery, jewelry, wood products, toys and candleswill be on sale.

“Tunes of Appalachia,”a musical tribute to mountain heritage presented by the Percival Pickers, will be performed from 11 a.m.-noon Friday, Nov. 10, in the Mountainlair Commons (and other times throughout the week).

Also on Friday, the Country Vittles Dinner Buffet will be from 5-7:30 p.m. in Hatfields Restaurant, Mountainlair. Tickets are on sale at the Mountaineer Ticket office or call 293-SHOW.

Speaking of food, the Country Store and Chuck Wagon will sell homemade treats during the week, and there will be apple butter, kettle corn and funnel cake sales and demonstrations in and around the Lair.

One Valley Bank will sponsor a Fiddlers Contest at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, in the Mountainlair Commons; cash prizes will be awarded in junior and senior divisions. Registration begins at 6 p.m. that evening.

The colorful Mountaineer Week Quilt Show featuring more than 50 handcrafted quilts will be on display in the Mountainlairs Mountaineer Room from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10; noon-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11; and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12.

National storyteller Bill Lepp will also return to campus on Friday, and there will be wood chopping and sawing demonstrations by the WVU Woodsmen.

53rd annual Mountaineer Week activities continue into Monday, Nov. 13, with the popular PRT Cram at 4 p.m. in front of the Lair; the record stands at 68 students in a car.

Another highlight of Mountaineer Week, Wilson noted, will take place at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, when Freeman Owle of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee speaks at the annual Peace Tree Ceremony to be held across the street from the Mountainlair.

“This ceremony gives everyone a chance to gather and meditate on peace, drawing upon centuries-old Native American traditions,”Wilson said. After the ceremony, Owle will provide a storytelling session on Cherokee history, legends and language. The program is sponsored by the College of Human Resources and Education, Native American Studies and the Mountaineer Week Committee.

Mainstreet Morgantown will sponsor Downtown Day on Wednesday, Nov. 15. Only in its second year, Downtown Day provides the community the opportunity to get involved with WVU , Wilson said. Sidewalk sales and the”Campus vs. Community Olympics”are just some of the events planned.

Also on Wednesday (Nov. 15), WVUs 2000 Beard Growing Contest will be judged at noon on the Court House Square (rain location: VFW on Spruce St.) Master of ceremonies is Mountaineer Scott Moore.

Student Organizations will also have a Canned Food and Toy Drive presentation at 4 p.m. Nov. 15.

WVU alumnus Paul Gibaldi will give homespun storytelling a new name with his presentation,”The Adirondacks Alive,”at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, in the Mountainlair Gluck Theatre.

The first annual Blue and Gold Day will also take place Friday, Nov. 17. WVU faculty and staff are asked to don blue and gold attire to demonstrate their Mountaineer pride.

The WVU football team will take on East Carolina at Mountaineer Field at noon Saturday, Nov. 18.

Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer will be named at halftime of the game along with Most Loyal Mountaineer, Most Loyal West Virginian and Most Loyal Faculty and Staff.

For more information on the weeks activities like lectures, displays, concerts and more, call Sonja Wilson, 293-2702.