A longtime tradition that honors the deep roots of East Tennessee’s settlers with music, food, and fun for everyone.
DANDRIDGE, TN – Returning to Historic Dandridge, TN for its 16th year, the Annual Scots Irish festival has become a beloved tradition for the region. From the extraordinary Pipe and Drum competitions to the time-honored tradition of the Highland Games demonstration, the festival remains 100% Sponsor & Patron driven, providing free admission to the public for all events taking place on both days of the event.
The 2024 event will kick-off with a free concert on Friday night, September 27th featuring Trip Rogers, and the Celtic Conundrum at the Highland Stage located behind the Dandridge Town Hall. Trip will entertain with energetic Irish Tunes while the Celtic Conundrum will bring American Celtic music for the enjoyment of the crowd. A food truck and the Ale Garden will be available for refreshments during the concert.
On Saturday, September 28th, outstanding Scottish & Irish Entertainers 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 12:00 noon. An Opening Ceremony will feature patriotic songs by the combined choirs of Dandridge Elementary School, Maury Middle School and Jefferson County High School.
Saturday’s experience will be a trip back in time to enjoy the heritage of the original Scots Irish who settled in East Tennessee ca. 1783, following the Revolutionary War. Visitors will experience Scottish & Irish music, Highland Dancing, Irish Step Dancing, Heritage organizations, Highland Clan booths, Highland Cattle & Black Faced sheep exhibits, Highland Athletic demonstrations, and Storytellers for both children and adults. Scottish & Irish Food, baked goods, meals, and treats will abound, as well as Scots & Irish merchandise vendors. Back by popular demand for 2023 is our fabulous Ale Garden featuring a selection of Scottish, Irish & Mountain ales from Highland Brewing.
More than twelve 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 (Main) 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 4:00 PM.
Individual entertainers of renown include Robert Valentine, Scottish Emcee; Piper/Harpist Kelly Shipe; Highland 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 our 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 AM.
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.
“We’re pleased that we can offer this exciting event, with all the activities for our community free of charge,” said Festival founder Jim Everett. “Our sponsors, patrons and volunteers all enjoy seeing the smiles and excitement from our many visitors.”
In addition to educating the public, the festival aims to create a significant and lasting impact on the East Tennessee community. For information of becoming a Sponsor or Contributing Patron, please see ‘Sponsors’ or ‘Thistle Club Patrons’ on www.ScotsIrishFestival.com.
For more information about the festivities, visit www.ScotsIrishFestival.com or contact Chris Umberger at info.scotsirishfestival@gmail.com. We can also be found on Facebook @Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival, and you are invited to join our Facebook Public Group. The Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Dandridge Scots Irish Festival Fact Sheet
- All Activities: Free Admission to the Public
- Location: Downtown Dandridge, Tennessee, on Historic Main Street
- Opening Concert: Friday, September 27, 2024 – 6:30 to 9:00 PM
- Trip Rogers and Celtic Conundrum will perform Irish & Celtic Music
- Food Truck and Ale Garden available
- Festival Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024 – 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM
- Scottish, Irish & Celtic Music LIVE on Stage
- House of Hamill, The Muckers, Celtic Conundrum, Trip Rogers, & Kelly Shipe
- Highland Dancing & Irish Step Dancing Demonstrations
- Highland Games Demonstrations
- Scottish, Irish & American Food, Baked Goods, Meals & Treats
- Pipe & Drum Band Parade & Ceremony at Noon
- Bagpipe & Drum Band Challenge Competition
- Scottish Clan & Heritage Society Exhibits
- Ale Garden featuring selections from Highland Brewing
- Children’s Playground, Activities, Music & Storytelling program
- Highland Cattle, Black Face Sheep, and Border Collie Exhibits
High Resolution Photos of the Festival, including Entertainers, Pipe & Drum Bands & Exhibitors Are Available Upon Request
Media Contact:
Chris Umberger, Festival Committee Chair
(865) 207-3881,
info.scotsirishfestival@gmail.com