Mountaineer Week, West Virginia University’s annual celebration of Appalachian history and culture, begins Friday (Oct. 26) for the 65th year.
This year, the theme for Mountaineer Week is the Mountaineer Mascot. For the first time, more than 20 former mascots will be back in town for a mascot reunion. They will be honored during halftime of the TCU football game on Nov. 3.
Since 1947, Mountaineer Week offers the WVU student body and Morgantown community an opportunity to learn more about West Virginia history and celebrate the state’s traditions. The activities throughout the week serve to remind and educate WVU students about the culture that has made West Virginia what it is today.
On Oct. 26, chainsaw carving artist David Ferguson will be set up in front of the Mountainlair. He will carve a Mountaineer statue during programs at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The statue will be raffled off during the Student LOT at the TCU football game.
That night at 7 p.m., to stick with the theme of this year’s Mountaineer Week, there will be a fireside chat with seven former Mountaineer Mascots (Jonathan Kimble, Rebecca Durst, Brady Campbell, Andy Cogar, Brandon Flower, Scott Moore and Junior Taylor) hosted by WVIllustrated’s Geoff Coyle in the Vandalia Lounge of the Mountainlair. Those in attendance will have an opportunity to ask mascots questions, take photos with them and receive autographs.
For the second year, as part of the WVU United Way campaign, you can participate in the Mountaineers Run United, a four-mile walk/run on Oct. 27. For more information, visit http://unitedway.wvu.edu/5k-walkrun.
Family Fun Day will also take place on Oct. 27 from noon to 5 p.m., where children can dress as a Mountaineer Mascot and trick or treat around the Mountainlair. There are many other family friendly activities in the building, as well during the day.
WVU students can participate in the annual Mountaineer Week Challenge, which takes place throughout the festivities. Highlights include the scavenger hunt on Oct. 28 and the PRT cram and the challenge games on Oct. 29.
Also back this year is the walking ghost tour, one of the most popular events from 2011. Ghost stories will be told at various downtown campus buildings on Oct. 29 starting at 7:30 p.m. in the E. Moore Hall lobby.
The beard shaving final, hosted by Kimble, will take place on Oct. 31 at 12:30 p.m. on the grand staircase in the Mountainlair.
On Nov. 2, students can enjoy a 65-foot-long pepperoni roll that will span through the Mountainlair at 11 a.m. for the 65th anniversary of Mountaineer Week celebration.
Mountaineer Week festivities will conclude on Nov. 4 but not before the Mountaineer Week football game vs. TCU on Nov. 3 where Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer and Most Loyals candidates will be announced at halftime.
For a complete schedule of events, visit the Mountaineer Week website at http://mountaineerweek.wvu.edu/events.
-WVU-
td/10/23/12
CONTACT: Sonja Wilson, Mountaineer Week
304-293-2702, Sonja.Wilson@mail.wvu.edu
Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.