This week, we’re revisiting our episode “What Is Appalachia?” from December 2021. Appalachia connects mountainous parts of the South, the Midwest, the Rust Belt and even the Northeast. That leaves so much room for geographic and cultural variation, as well as many different views on what Appalachia really is.
Across West Virginia, many towns and cities will host Christmas parades and other holiday festivals in December. But only one town can claim to have a historic covered bridge in the backdrop of their festivities. Philippi is hoping to brand itself as a Christmas destination, with a historic twist.
“Christmas was always special here whenever I was growing up,” said Philippi Mayor Phil Bowers, who had the idea to brand the town as “A Covered Bridge Christmas” destination.
“We have tens of thousands of people who ride the Polar Express in Elkins, and we thought, we’re really not doing much to bring those people to Philippi.”
Credit James Owston/ Alderson Broaddus University
/
Covered Bridge in Philippi
Like many locations in West Virginia, the city of Philippi is looking to tourism to boost the local economy.
Next year, the city plans to add additional Christmas-themed activities. This could include ice skating rink, and buggy rides that could transport visitors to view the Christmas lights, Bowers said.
“A Covered Bridge Christmas” kicks off Friday, Dec. 1. There will be a parade on Friday, and other events are planned throughout the month.
This story was produced by students and faculty at the Mass Communication department at Alderson Broaddus University.
This week, we go a-wassailing in Asheville, North Carolina. It’s kind of like Christmas caroling, with a kick. Also, family recipes bring generations together. But what happens when you’ve got grandma’s potato candy recipe, and it doesn’t have exact measurements? And, a new book explores the magical dark side of nature.
Two West Virginia University professors discuss the ancient origins of our modern Christmas traditions as well as how people in other countries celebrate.
One of the most famous Christmas stories to come out of the 19th century was the short letter to the editor, and the response from the New York Sun newspaper known as “Is There a Santa Claus?”
...