ELKINS — The Helvetia Hoot!! returns next week with workshops in old-time music, craft, folklore, foodways, flatfooting, square dancing and more.

“The goal of Helvetia Hoot is to bring together people from the broader region to celebrate West Virginia,” Event organizer Becky Hill said in a release. “You can try your hand at natural dying, learn about traditional fiddle music, shuffle your feet in a percussive dance workshop, or just soak up the tranquility of Helvetia. There are varied workshop offerings planned for all experience levels along with family focused activities, and three open-to-the-public dance events throughout the weekend.”

The Hoot will take place from May 30 and through June 1. Children under 12 can attend all events at the Hoot for free. Scholarships and volunteer positions are available on a first come, first serve basis. 

On May 30, the Hoot will hold a kick-off dance starting at 7 p.m. featuring Elkins-local multi-instrumentalist Gerry Milnes performing with The Tygart Valley Boys and well-known local dance callers.

“These dances are energetic and family friendly,” The release states. “Participants don’t need to come with a dance partner or in any specific attire. Bench seats line the walls if you prefer to enjoy as a spectator.”

The potluck supper on May 31 will begin at 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Afterwards, the State Birds will “fire up rip-roaring tunes” with band members Tessa McCoy on the fiddle, Cody Jordan on the banjo, Jesse Milnes on guitar and Joanna Burt-Kinderman on bass.

Also on May 31, at 7 p.m. there will be a screening of the award-winning film, O Pioneer by Helvetia-local directors Clara Lehman and Jonathan Lacocque in the Star Band Hall. The screening is free to the public.

On June 1, the Helvetia Farm Women will be cooking up a Sunday brunch of biscuits and gravy from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the Community Hall basement.

The Hoot’s weekend workshops will feature master artists from Appalachia. Some of the workshops available include:

∫ Gospel Sing with Ginny Hawker

∫ Guided Historical Walk through Helvetia with Dave Whipp

∫ Natural Dying w/ Food Scraps with Tessa Evanosky

∫ Square Dance Calling with event co-organizer T-Claw Crawford, Janine Smith and Ben Nelson

∫ Visible Mending Sewing Circle with Nevada Tribble

∫ Flatfooting with Hill

∫ Glenville Style Square Dances with Mack Samples

∫ Swiss Dancing with Betty Biggs

∫ Country Harmony Singing with Emily Miller and Val Mindel

“Helvetia is the perfect place to hold a workshop weekend, there are two beautiful old community halls, a rich old-time music and dance tradition and a supportive community that helps make it happen,” Hill said in the release.

Rustic camping for the Hoot is available in a tree lined field alongside the creek between the town’s two dance halls, general store and the Hutte Swiss restaurant.

Application forms for the event, scholarships, volunteer positions and more, as well as pricing for the event and meals, can be found at clawandfoot.com.