The annual Scots-Irish festival is returning to Dandridge in its 16th year.
From the extraordinary pipe and drum competitions to the time-honored tradition of the Highland Games demonstration, the festival’s events remain free to the public thanks to a 100% sponsorship by local businesses and patrons.
The 2024 event will kick-off with a free concert on Friday night, September 27, 6:30-9 p.m. featuring Trip Rogers and the Celtic Conundrum at the Highland Stage, located behind the Dandridge Town Hall.
A food truck and the Ale Garden will be available for refreshments during the concert.
On Saturday, September 28, the day will run from 9 a.m.- 9:30 p.m. with outstanding Scottish & Irish entertainers who will vie for attention with the Bagpipe & Drum Band Challenge, which will take place along Main Street in downtown Dandridge.
The color guard from the Scottish American Military Society will lead the way for the combined pipe bands during the glorious parade at noon. An opening ceremony will feature patriotic songs by the combined choirs of Dandridge Elementary School, Maury Middle School and Jefferson County High School.
More than 12 clans and heritage organizations will be taking part in the festival. Visitors are welcome to talk with the representatives of these groups to learn more about their history and make connections with their Scots-Irish heritage.
The Highland Stage entertainment will feature bands House of Hamill and The Muckers. On the Lowland Stage, Trip Rogers and Celtic Conundrum will perform along with piper & harpist Kelly Shipe. Demonstrations of Highland dancing and Irish step dancing will also be presented on the Lowland Stage.
The Pipe & Drum Band challenge competition will include the Knoxville Pipes & Drums, the Appalachian Highlanders and the Memphis Pipe Band. These bands will play twice each during the day, as well as marching in the ceremonial parade on Main Street at noon and as Mass Bands on the Dike at 4 p.m.
Individual entertainers of renown include Robert Valentine, Scottish emcee; piper/harpist Kelly Shipe; dancers from the Knoxville Pipes & Drums Highland dancers; as well as award winning Irish step dancer Katie Carver and her students from East Tennessee.
Following the Saturday evening Ceilidh (concert) on Loch Douglas, most of the day’s entertainers will be on stage for a special Ceilidh encore. Bagpiper Kelly Shipe will then close the evening with her annual rendition of ‘Piper on the Dike’ while spotlighted on the otherwise completely dark dike behind Town Hall & the Highland Stage.
An old-time children’s playground returns this year with a variety of games and activities for the lads & lassies. This year Ron Lighty, ventriloquist and balloon artist, will entertain guests with a show from the Lowland Stage. He will also be available to create a variety of balloon animals for the children.
Phil Lakin will be bringing his Highland cattle, Scottish, black-faced sheep and his Border Collie sheep dogs, a must-see exhibit for guests. Roger Kelley will exhibit his Civil War books & uniforms. Visitors to the event are welcome to bring leashed, well-behaved dogs to participate in the dog parade down Main Street, scheduled for 11:45 a.m.
While the weekend of family fun and festivities celebrates the area’s Scots-Irish roots, the event appeals to a wide range of guests – whether their ancestors were Scots-Irish or not – for a day of outstanding fun, food and entertainment.
In addition to educating the public, the festival aims to create a significant and lasting impact on the East Tennessee community. For information on becoming a sponsor or contributing patron, please see ‘sponsors’ or ‘Thistle Club patrons’ here.
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