Appalachian State University - Rhododendron Yearbook (Boone, NC)

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FESTIVALS OF THE MOUNTAINS From Indians to crafts, dancing to food, and music to novels, Appalachian State promotes an awareness of our national and regional heritage. For the past fifteen years, local craftsmen and musicians have been gathering in Boone for a three-day festival around mid-September. Sponsored by downtown merchants, Septemberfest is a loosely-structured assembly of exhibits of potters, wood-workers, dancers, doggers, musicians, bakers, florists, artists, shoeshiners, and possibly a I moonshiner or two down a side i street. I Septemberfest is open to anyone ; who wants to show off his skill, from ' the famous (Willard and Ora Watson, Stanley Hicks, Ed Presnell, maybe even Doc Watson) to the unknown novice craftsmen. The spirit of the festival reflects the spirit of Boone - casual, unstructured, and diversified. The Appalachian region is especially rich in crafts, with western North Carolina leading in the number of local artists and craftsmen. Crafts as an industry is an outgrowth of the time when the mountain people had to make what they needed or do without. They became experts in making their own cabins, their furniture, wagons, utensils and tools, musical instruments and toys, clothing and quilts. What was once a necessity is now a business, but t he quality of hand -made items is better than ever. Septemberfest is only one of many opportunities for area craftsmen to exhibit the skills passed down through generations. Boone ' s color and spirit come to life during the gala of Septemberfest. Right page: on the streets of Boone homegrown flowers and honey are on display. Upper left: a weary spectator receives an old-fashioned shoe shine. Upper right: a street musician sings for coins and the pleasure of singing. Left: arts and crafts proudly displayed.

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NIGHT OF MAKE BELIEVE Would you believe a Jack-o- Lantern with a crushed beer can inside instead of the traditional candle? Or how about a co-ed, amply filling a Playboy Bunny outfit, handing out beer and pretzels instead of someone ' s mother passing out Hershey chocolates? Yes, Halloween Appalachian style is a lot different than my Halloweens as a junior-high kid, trudging from house-to-house in the neighborhood. At a big party near State Farm Field, I saw Dracula trying to bite a young, smooth-skinned Indian squaw who seemed anxious for the sun to come up. Two cavemen were working their way through a case of beer while three Supermen argued about who looked the best. While their attention was diverted, I looked for their Lois Lanes. No Loises, but I did see several hookers, or were they simply co-eds playing the part? All around were cowboys punk rockers, a fly, and the too cool few who came in the their usual jeans and sweaters. Several of Boone ' s finest arrived in their blue uniforms and caused no commotion, although one monster full of Bud patted an officer on the back and said, Nice costume but it ' s not too original. The Antlers bar stayed busy all night long. No one seemed concerned about billiards or Defender. Ghouls danced with witches and drag queens bought beers for cowgirls. Hoodlums and harlots danced all night long to the beat of The Gap Band at Mother Fletcher ' s. At Tijuana Fat ' s, Blowing Rock ' s newest night spot, a Mexican Bandito tried to convince a beauty queen that he was no one else but Fat himself. She didn ' t seem to buy his story that he owned the place. Back on campus, decorated residence halls were the scenes of mixers. Skeletons, witches, and clowns hung in windows while their live counterparts mingled, ate, and drank in the dim lights of common rooms. Halloween is the chance to pretend, no matter how old you are. You can, for one evening, act out a fantasy or just be silly and not have to answer for it. A computer science major, who as a kid dreamed of being a fireman, now has his chance. You can be Clint Eastwood or Bo Derek, or even spend the evening as a member of the opposite sex and no one will avoid you the next morning. On all-Hallows Eve, the goblins, spooks, and bunny rabbits came out in full force for a night of fun and music at The Barn. The dance floor came alive to the rock tunes of Clear Creek, and the menagerie of char- acters and costumes was beyond descrip- tion.