Appalachia's Past Preserved & Celebrated at Annual Radford Highlanders Festival

Appalachia's Past Preserved & Celebrated at Annual Radford Highlanders Festival

In celebration of the region's Scots-Irish heritage, the City of Radford and Radford University host the annual Radford Highlanders Festival, held this year on Saturday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on RU's campus and in downtown Radford. Held in conjunction with Homecoming weekend and Founders day, the festival features aspects of the Celtic culture that have carried over into modern day Appalachian life. Festival day begins with a parade down Norwood Street and up Tyler Avenue in Radford to the festival site on Moffett Field. Traditional Scottish games are featured throughout the day. The Scottish Society of the Virginia Highlands, an annual festival sponsor, is on site to answer any questions you may have about anything Scottish.

This year's headlining group is KILT, a contemporary Celtic band from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Also appearing at the festival will be local Celtic-Appalachian favorites the Celtibillies.

Approximately 50 vendors and artisans will exhibit and sell their wares.

Children are able to participate and learn about the region's heritage in their very own Children's Tent

City activities on festival day include an antique show in downtown Radford, as well as a ceilidh. Pronounced kay-lee, which is Gaelic for celebration, or party, this popular event is held in downtown Radford from 7 to 10 p.m. The Ceilidh is a Scots-Irish tradition that shouldn't be missed.

The Radford Highlanders Festival is a chance to relive history-the music, the games, the sheep dogs, the crafts and the storytelling-and carry it on.

To learn more about the festival and receive a festival packet, call (540) 831-5324 or visit www.radford.edu/festival.