car in Parade

10 a.m., Downtown
Enjoy pipe and drum bands, mascots, floats and many more surprise guests as they travel through downtown and up Tyler Avenue. This annual kick-off event is a colorful, festive time of celebration that both young and old enjoy. Come early and bring a chair.

Caber Toss 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Discover the excitement as amateur athletes compete in games that test agility, strength and balance. In the caber toss, athletes struggle to balance a log the height of a telephone phone vertically, flip it end over end and strive for the perfect 12 o’clock landing. Additional events include the sheaf toss, weight throw, weight toss and hammer toss.

 Child with Dog
Activities and entertainment for the wee ones. Enjoy storytelling, music, art activities and more.

Come visit festival clown Darlin MacFarlane at the Children's Tent. Meet her special guests, magician and balloon artist Jeff Wampler and stilt-walker Peggy Hunt. Make sure to be at the tent at 4 p.m. when Darlin' sends the little Highlanders on a Scavenger Hunt (parents should accompany their children on the hunt). The winner receives a basket of toys.'Each child that visits the Children's Tent receives a free toy.

celtic crafts The artistry of traditional Highland arts and crafts is unsurpassed. Vendors from all over the Appalachian region and as far away as Australia come to campus on festival day to sell and display their wares. Wooden toys, stained glass, woven rugs, cozy sweaters and Celtic jewelry are just a few of the items available for sale.

 

Celtic Clans Parade

Scottish Clan Gathering and Genealogy Research
Discover the stories of your family hidden deep within the pages of history with the help of our on-site genealogist and gathering of clans. Several clans are represented at the festival and will assist festival goers in researching their roots. They’ll also teach a bit of Scottish history along the way. The clan midday march is always a highlight of the festival. Three pipe and drum bands – the Virginia Highland Pipes and Drums, Appalachian Pipes and Drums and Deep River Pipes and Drums – gather on the main field and head the clans in a parade of their tartans and crests.
To learn more about the clans, visit the clan web page.
Sheep Dog Demonstration   Watch in wonder as these brilliant working dogs corral sheep in the Scottish tradition. When Larry Maggard brings his astounding sheep dogs to campus on festival day, crowds quickly gather around the face to watch his dogs in action. Larry will also bring along an assortment of interesting animals from Nubian goats to bantam chickens. You won't want to miss this one!
To learn more about the festival, call (540) 831-5234 or e-mail Bonnie Erickson.
Activities/Schedule | Clans | Scrapbook | Lodging/Map | About Radford & RU
car in Parade

10 a.m., Downtown
Festival day kicks off with a parade through downtown. This colorful display of pageantry and pride grows each year; come early to grab a spot on the street. Pipe and drum bands, floats, dancers and mascots are just a few of the entries. The festival begins at the corner of Third Avenue and East Main and continues up Tyler Avenue.

Caber Toss 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Discover the excitement as amateur athletes compete in games that test agility, strength and balance. In the caber toss, athletes struggle to balance a log the height of a telephone phone vertically, flip it end over end and strive for the perfect 12 o’clock landing. Additional events include the sheaf toss, weight throw, weight toss and hammer toss.
Enter the Haggis of Toronto was here two years ago and electrified the crowd. They return to the festival with their unique Celtic-Rock sound and high-energy performance. Festival goers will also be treated to performances by local favorites Beggars' Circus of Roanoke, Va. and RU's own Celtic harpist Stevan Jackson. Past performers at the festival have included some of the most popular touring Celtic rock bands such as BROTHER, KILT, Elke Baker, Mary Jane Lamond and Seven Nations. The host band for Friday's "A Celtic Celebration Downtown" is Dot Dot Dash.

Darlin' MacFarlane's friend – Cuzin' Lulu – will welcome all the little Highlanders to the 2004 festival.

Little lads and lassies (and their parents) will not want to miss a theatrical renaissance performance by the Sterling Swordplayers. Darlin' will also be welcoming RU's own stilt-walker Peggy Hunt. Jeff Wampler, a magician and balloon artist, also returns with new tricks up his sleeve. Children can participate in the Scavenger Hunt and the winner takes home a basket full of toysand festival memorabilia. Each child who stops by receives a free toy.

celtic crafts The artistry of traditional Highland arts and crafts is unsurpassed. Vendors from all over the United States come to campus on festival day to sell and display their wares. Wooden toys, stained glass, woven rugs, cozy sweaters and Celtic jewelry are just a few of the items available for sale.

 

Celtic Clans Parade

Get back to your roots with the help of our on-site genealogists and gathering of clans. Several clans are represented at the festival and assists festival goers in researching their ancestry. Families will enjoy taking a journey down the path of their ancestors. While you're doing some research, you just might learn a lesson or two in Scottish history also!

The clan midday march is always a highlight of the festival. Pipe and drum bands assemble on the main field and head the clans in a parade of their tartans and crests.
To learn more about the clans, visit the clan web page.

Sheep Dog Demonstration Watch some of the hardest-working dogs you'll ever see as they corral sheep in the ancient Scottish tradition. The blow of their master's whistle is the starting command and the dogs quickly take their place on the field and get to work. You won't want to miss this one!