The performers included old-time and gospel musicians from across the state, including Olive Abrams of Boone County, Elmer Bird of Hurricane, Andy Boarman of Hedgesville, Jenes and Noah Cottrell of Ivydale, Wilson Douglas of Maysel, Russ Fluharty of Mannington, Worley Gardner of Morgantown, Frank George of Sinks Grove, Phyllis Marks of Tanner, Aunt Jennie Wilson of Peach Creek, and Melvin Wine of Copen. Many others led workshops and gave craft demonstrations
Blackie Cool (left) and Woody Simmons (right) perform at the first Vandalia Gathering in Charleston, May 1977. They first played together in Randolph County in 1932. Photo by Steve Payne, courtesy of Goldenseal.
Ethel Caffie-Austin, "West Virginia's First Lady of Gospel," performs on stage at the 2000 Vandalia Gathering. Photo by Michael Keller, courtesy of Goldenseal.
Jenes Cottrell (1901-1980) was well-known banjo player, instrument maker, and woodworker from Clay County. He's shown here, in 1980, at his last Vandalia Gathering. Photo by Rick Lee, courtesy of Goldenseal.
John Morris, an acclaimed fiddler and banjo player from Clay County who pioneered old-time music festivals, helped create the Vandalia Gathering, and was named a National Heritage Fellow, is shown here at the 2000 Vandalia Gathering. Photo by Michael Keller, courtesy of Goldenseal.
Sylvia O'Brien (1908-2001) learned to play clawhammer style banjo from her brother, Jenes Cottrell. She received the Vandalia Award, West Virginia's highest folklife honor, in 1989. Photo by Michael Keller, courtesy of Goldenseal.
David Morris (1944-2016) serenades blacksmith Mike Snyder at the 1979 Vandalia Gathering. Morris and his brother John helped found the festival and were major influences on young old-time music fans. Photo by Rick Lee, courtesy of Goldenseal.
The Vandalia Gathering, an annual Memorial Day Weekend event, has been celebrating West Virginia’s heritage of traditional music, crafts, food, folklore, and dance since 1977. The Memorial Day Weekend festival, sponsored by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, is held at the Culture Center and on the adjoining state capitol grounds.
