‘Tis a festival not to miss

‘Tis a festival not to miss

October 9, 2004

The ninth annual Radford Highlanders Festival is a day-long celebration of the region’s Scots-Irish history. This year’s headline entertainers are no strangers to the festival. Toronto’s Enter the Haggis returns to the main stage. Also appearing under the entertainment tent will be Beggars’ Circus, the accompanying band for the dance stage, and RU ethnomusicologist and Celtic harpist Stevan Jackson. Activities are planned throughout the day to entertain lads and lassies of all ages. Last year more than 10,000 people enjoyed Celtic and Appalachian music, highland dancing, a Gaelic language workshop, athletic competitions, and all the fanfare and excitement that the festival brings. Traditional amateur heavy athletics are held throughout the day on Moffett Field along with a full schedule of music, dancing, Scottish clan gatherings and more. Impromptu performances are the norm on festival day.

You may happen upon a magician, bagpiper, or even a stilt-walker. The Scottish Society of the Virginia Highlands, an annual festival sponsor, will be on site to answer questions about anything Scottish.

Darlin’ MacFarlane will be welcoming back a festival favorite, magician and balloon artist Jeff Wampler. Other activities at Darlin’s tent will include an appearance by RU’s own stilt-walker Peggy Hunt, a demonstration by theatrical renaissance actors, storytelling, the second annual Scavenger Hunt, and more. Each child who visits the Children’s Tent receives a prize and the winner of the Scavenger Hunt takes home a basket full of toys, games and festival memorabilia. To learn more about the Radford Highlanders Festival, call (540) 831-5324 or visit www.radford.edu/festival/