Appalachian Heritage Festival Held In Salem

L-R Peggy Shifflett, chair of the Appalachian Heritage Festival and Keynote Speaker novelist Sharyn McCrumb.

The voices were unanimous by the second and last day of the Heritage Festival at the Salem Museum – everyone wants the festival to be an annual event.

This year’s festival featured keynote speaker Sharyn McCrumb, best-selling author of historical novels set in the Southern Appalachians. Performances of old-time music with roots going back to Irelandand and the Northern British Isles were held Friday as well as most of the day on Saturday.

Musicians were Joe Hart and Eve-lynn Deegan, Stevan Jackson, Maeve Crowgey, and Dan & Marian McConnell. Mountain fare at the reception included apple cider, ginger cookies, country ham, cornbread, baked apples, and sauerkraut dumplings.

On Saturday, local authors sold and signed books, musicians performed, and patrons browsed the display of Appalachian rifles, musical instruments, quilts, and toys that were on sale throughout the day.

Story tellers Warnie Shifflett, Beth Rossi and Charles Lytton passed the bright October afternoon telling tales that both enlightened and amused the gathered listeners.

Jack Powell, a retired revenue agent and author, discussed the history of moonshine and demonstrated the making of it with a copper still. For the better part of the day Andrew Howes was there with his miniature horses for the children.

Peggy Shifflett, chair of the Heritage Days Committee and member of the League of American Pen Women, a festival sponsor, was thanked by Salem Museum Director John Long. Also recognized were sponsors Patsy A. Bussey and the Salem Historical Society. The beautifully renovated Salem Museum is off to an exciting start.

– Gail Lambert

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