Smoky Mountain News

Irish dancing and fiery fiddling take center stage when the Hunt Family performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24, at the Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

The Hunt Family, Clint, Sandy and their seven children: Jessica, Jennifer, Joshua, Jonathan, Jordan, Justin and Jamison will perform together traditional dance and play Celtic, bluegrass, inspirational and popular tunes. The group has released multiple albums and has performed in Scotland and for Queen Elizabeth during a 2007 visit to the United States. The Hunts are accomplished musicians, and members of the family are ranked nationally and internationally in Irish dancing.

The performance, sponsored by WRGC-AM, is part of WCU’s Galaxy of Stars Series. The next performance in the series is the Massenkoff Russian Folk Festival on Sunday, Oct. 3.

WCU will celebrate the traditional song, dance, food and crafts of the Southern Appalachian Mountains at its annual Mountain Heritage Day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, on the WCU campus. The festival is free and features more than 20 musical acts, a Cherokee stickball game, contests and Children’s Tent.

Tickets for the Hunt Family  $25 for adults; $20 for senior citizens and WCU faculty and staff; and $5 for children and students. For more information, call FAPAC box office at 828.227.2479 or visit fapac.wcu.edu.