Radford Shares its Roots
| Published 10/01/04

Graphic by: Doni Neel

For one weekend a year, students aren't awoken by the normal beeping of their alarm clocks. Those lucky students on or close to campus will be waking up to the sound of Radford's famous bagpipes. As in previous years, Radford will be holding its annual Highlander Festival on Saturday, Oct. 8. The Highlander Festival is the main attraction of Homecoming weekend, and families from all over join together to celebrate Radford's Scots-Irish heritage.

  For those who haven't made it to the festival in past years, it is a day full of different events dealing with Irish heritage. From crafts to amateur heavyweight athletic competitions, Radford's homecoming seems to have it all.

  The day starts at 9 a.m. with the heavyweight competition on Moffett Quad. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Moffett Quad will be filled with crafts, food and music. Taking main stage is Toronto's Celtic rock band Enter the Haggis. Along with Enter the Haggis, the Highlander Festival will feature music by Beggars' Circus from Roanoke, Va. In addition, RU's own Stevan Jackson will be adding to the event with his talents at the harp and his knowledge of the Gaelic language.

  Younger kids will be entertained during the day with a petting zoo, and magician and balloonist Jeff Wampler of Bristol, Va. For the older kids, the beverage garden will be opened at 7 p.m. when the traditional Scottish Ceilidh begins. A Ceilidh is a social gathering with traditional music, dancing and storytelling.   If you haven't made it out to the Highlander Festival in past years, come out and see what this town has to offer besides going to class. There is actually a history to this town, and maybe it's about time we RU students learn something about it!