A day of heritage

The 38th annual Mountain Heritage Day kicked off Saturday, Sept. 28 at Western Carolina University.

The day consisted of music, food, and performances that celebrated the heritage sewn through Western North Carolina.

Events started early with a 5K race at 8 a.m. Other events included a chainsaw competition, the Cherokee game Stickball and Fish, and demonstrations of black-powder rifles and blowguns.

See the slideshow from the event.

Food was a big factor at the festival as well. Attendees could purchase items like turkey legs, gyros, ice cream, indian bread and funnel cake. Vendors also sold handmade crafts.

Live music by local groups as well as cloggers and some choirs graced the stages throughout the day, keeping participants entertained.

The events lasted until 5 p.m. with only a bit of rain around lunch.