Now in its 17th year, the Radford Highlanders Festival has grown into one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region.
The festival began in September 1994 with an approximate crowd of 3,000. Over the past 16 years, the festival has more than tripled in size, and now attracts an estimated crowd of 10,000 people. Whether a family’s background is of Scots-Irish origin or of other descent, the day always brings with it an air of excitement and anticipation. There is no place more beautiful than Southwest Virginia in autumn and the Blue Ridge Mountains provide a beautiful back-drop for the fall festival.
In partnership with the City of Radford and Radford University, the festival day begins with a pancake breakfast, and the celebratory kickoff parade through Main Street and up Tyler Avenue.
We invite you to spend your second weekend in October in the beautiful highlands of Southwest Virginia and visit our historic city that runs alongside the New River, the second oldest river in the world. Take some time throughout your day to tour the university’s campus and meet our Radford family.
You will be among the thousands anticipated to descend upon RU’s Moffett Field for a day-long celebration of the region’s rich heritage. Come early and get a good seat on the risers to enjoy the Scots-Irish heavyweight games. Moffett Field will be alive with clan gatherings, more than 50 diverse crafts, sheep herding demonstrations, children’s activities, and music grounded in the rich heritage of both the Scots-Irish and the Appalachian region.
Don’t miss the excitement! Make your plans today to attend!




