2023 Scots-Irish Festival
The 2023 Festival was a great success and enjoyed by all. The weather cooperated and folks congregated from all over the region to enjoy the activities. We shout out to our loyal Sponsors and Patrons who help us keep the Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival free for the community. We hope that you’ll join us for the next event on the last Saturday in September of 2024!
For the Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival, folks that have never had the pleasure to attend are often unsure and have questions about the event. In this section, we’ve gathered the most popular questions and summarized pertainent information for your reference. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Festival Staff at: info.scotsirishfestival@gmail.com
1. Where is the Festival located? The Scots-Irish Festival is located in historic downtown Dandridge, Tennessee. The main entrance is at the intersection of Main Street and Gay Street (Highway 92), adjacent to Loch Douglas (TVA Douglas Lake). Dandridge is quaint little town, the second oldest in the state, settled in 1782.
2. Where can I park? There are several public parking lots within close walking distance of downtown: northwest of Jefferson County Courthouse (202 W. Main St.); across the street, south of the Jefferson Co Clerk’s office (214 W. Main St.); at the corner of north Gay Street (Hwy 92) and Meeting Street. In addition, the Scots-Irish volunteers operate free shuttle buses to the Festival from two locations: First Baptist Church (951 Highway 92) and a lot located at the corner of West Main Street and Cherokee Drive. These shuttle buses operate from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM.
3. How much is admission? Thanks to the hard work of the Festival volunteers and the generosity of sponsors and patrons of the event, the Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival is absolutely free to the public. The mission on the Festival is to provide the community entertainment and education about the heritage of the Scots-Irish pioneers who settled in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina in the late 1700s.
4. Do you have pipe bands at the Festival? As an essential element of Scots-Irish tradition, the bagpipes are featured prominently in the Festival. The event starts out with concerts from each of three different pipes and drums bands from the region. The Knoxville Pipes and Drums is the host band for the Festival and helps with organizing the piping activities. At noon there is a formal Opening Ceremony led by the Pipe Bands. Starting with a parade down Main Street, the bands then play traditional music during the ceremony. Early in the afternoon, there is a Pipe Band Playoff Competition in which each of the bands completes for prizes and recognition. Later in the afternoon, the massed Pipe Bands march on the dike, high above Main Street, inspiring awe and wonder in all the spectators.
5. What kind of entertainment is featured? The Festival organizers strive to arrange a wide variety of musical and dance entertainment each year. Emphasis is placed on Celtic roots and Appalachian music evolved from that of the Scots-Irish settlers. Among recent performers include SYR, a Celtic Rock band; Four Leaf Peat, performing traditional Irish music; Wild Blue Yonder, an Appalachian music group; Trip Rogers, who performs a wide variety of Irish and traditional tunes. As entertainers are secured for the 2022 Festival, the website will be updated to reflect the lineup.
Other entertainment includes demonstrations of Highland dance and Irish Step dancing for those interested. Several performers will present these traditional dances and a Mistress of Ceremonies will provide background information and historical background of the dances.
Are there activites for children? For a number of years we have featured Days Gone By, an activity center for our younger guests. Located adjacent to the Lowland Stage, there are a wide variety of games and activities for children. Rocking horses, jump ropes, Jenga, Lincoln Logs, and marble run are among the many games available for their entertainment. The Highland cattle and border collies exhibited at the event are also favorites of the children. Our kids also really enjoy the dog parade down Main Street just before the Opening Ceremony. Festival goers are welcome to bring their well-behaved dogs to participate in the parade. We are also pleased to have CARE Companion Animal Rescue & Education program attend the Festival with dogs and cats for adoption.
7. Can Clans be involved? Many Clans do participate in the Festival with booths on Main Street to display their tartans and insignia. Clans are welcome to help us celebrate our heritage by attending the event, sponsoring a booth and greeting the public. In fact, many of our guests have commented on how exciting it is for them to learn more about their Scots-Irish roots from the Clan representatives. Follow this link to our Clan page where you may register your group for the 2023 Festival.
8. What kind of vendors do you have? Following through with our Festival theme of Celtic heritage, we strive to register vendors that have a Scottish, Irish, or Celtic products or services. Vendors at the Dandridge event include those with Celtic merchandise such as clothing, kilts, jewelry , apparel, accessories, crafts, pottery and knives. Food vendors participate with traditional Scottish and Irish wares and a variety of other foods, baked goods, snacks and beverages. The Festival also includes an Ale Garden with several craft offerings from Highland Brewery. You can find more information and an application for next year’s event on our Vendor page.
9. Are there Highland Games competitions? Because of the space limitations of downtown Dandridge, there’s really not enough room for us to host the typical Highland competions. In order to give our visitors a taste of the Highland culture, we have arranged to have demonstrations of some of the traditional events during the Festival. While not quite as exciting as a formal competition, the demonstrations allow the public to learn more about the Scottish traditions.
10. What is a Ceilidh? The word comes from Irish and Scottish Gaelic, meaning a social evening or a party with music and dancing. The Ceilidh for Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival begins at 6:30 PM and includes performances from the musicians who have performed earlier in the day. To start the program, Knoxville Pipes and Drums plays some inspiring tunes. Other bands entertain the crowd with a variety of musical styles. We even have a demonstration of dance as part of our evening concert. Finally at dark, the Lone Piper plays from the top of the dike at Loch Douglas to close the festivities.
11. How can I support the event? Volunteers are the essential elements of organizing and accomplishing the Festival each year. These volunteers work diligently in the planning, preparation and operation of all aspects of the Celtic celebration. Regional businesses provide financial support to allow the Festival Committee to provide the musical entertainment and the necessary support services. Interested friends and neighbors also contribute as patrons to insure that the Festival continues from year to year. If you would like to find out more about becoming a sponsor, patron or volunteer for the event, please follow the links or let us know at info.scotsirishfestival@gmail.com.
lodging
Our Host Hotel
Quality Inn - Dandridge
(865) 397-4310
Mention you are staying for the Scots-Irish Festival to receive a discounted room rate!
Southside of I-40 at Exit 417, the Quality Inn is 2 miles from Historic Downtown Dandridge. All rooms have free WiFi, flat screen TVs, Premium Cable channels, refrigerators & coffee makers. Quality Inn offers a continental breakfast as well as free coffee in the lobby as well as a fitness center, guest laundry facities and free parking, plus a business center, seasonal outdoor pool and a sundeck.
VENDORS
Want to be a Vendor? Scroll down for details
2023 Vendors
Merchandise Vendors - Scots, Irish, and Celtic GOODS & SERVICES
Aviary Broom Company - Brooms & handicrafts
(The) Bead Designer - Custom Handmade Jewelry - Bluff City, TN
Blessed Bee Herbs - Herbs & Teas
Celtic Realms - Books, Music, Scarves & Jewelry
Colley Hills Florals - Dried florals, soaps, macrame - Dandridge,, TN
Fishbone Leather - Belts & leather goods
Gift of Ages - Gifts & handicrafts
John Barnhill Woodworking - Handmade wood pieces
Ken Hall Knives - Custom knives and Scottish sgian dubhs - Waynesville, NC
Luna’s Farmhouse - Decor, Gifts & handicrafts
M3 Graphics - Festival Teeshirts and other apparel
Martha’s Market - Gifts & Decor
Michael Robison Pottery - Pottery & Ceramics
Old House Pottery - Handmade ceramic ware - Morristown, TN
Pawkey Scottish Tees - Apparel with Scottish flair
Penultimate Productions - Wooden products, cutting board
St. Kilda USA - Traditional Scottish & Irish Highland Wear, Kilts, Belts, Sashes, Hose - Carnegie, PA
Sure Footed Dreamer - Arts & crafts, earrings
Thistle Dew - Celtic, Irish & English wares
Tracee’s Treasures - Gifts & Decor
Food & Snack Vendors
The Colonel’s Coffee Company - Coffee and Drinks
Grillbilly Smoke - Grilled meats, Scottish dishes - Jefferson City, TN
House of Douglas Scottish Bakery - Scones, Shortbread, Breads & Cakes - Cosby, TN
JDL Kettle Corn - Kettle Corn - Sevierville, TN
Rainbo Shaved Ice & Funnel Cakes - Knoxville, TN
Scottish Cottage - Scottish, Celtic menu
Strawberry Plains Honey - Honey & related products
Wowfulls - Burgers, fried & sandwiches
Want to be a Vendor for 2024?
Have Scottish, Irish or Celtic Themed Products?
Contact us at Info.ScotsIrishfestival@gmail.com or print off an Application & send it for consideration.
please do not send fees online without prior authorization via info.scotsirishfestival@gmail.com
Vendor Tent Space Costs
TENT SPACE 10' X 10' - $150
TENT SPACE 20' x 10' - $250
TENT SPACE 30' X 10' - $300
TENT SPACE 20' x 20' - $350
ELECTRICAL OUTLET
ELECTRICAL OUTLET
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING TO HELP WITH THE FESTIVAL?
Clans & Heritage
2023 PARTICIPATION
Clan Donnachaidh
Clan Keith
Clan MacLeod
Clan Young
Scottish American Military Society, Post 328
Martha Dandridge Washington Chapter, NSDAR
Jefferson County Historical Society
East Tennessee Historical Society
Martha Dandridge Garden Club
2024 Registration Form
CLAN & HERITAGE ORGANIZATION REGISTRATION
Activities
2023 Schedule
Vendor information
2022 Festival Information
Old-Time Children's Playground
Days Gone By, a wonderful old-time Children's Playground, will return to the Festival again in 2023 sponsored by Bush Bros.
Sheepdog Demonstrations
Phil Lakin will also be bringing his Border Collies for an exhibit near the Lowland Stage.
Dog Parade
Our Dog Parade is a tribute to the Scottish & Irish working dogs bred centuries before on the mountainsides of the Highlands and the pastures of the misty Lowlands.
While we will lead off and feature these breeds from the British Isles we welcome all dogs that you're proud enough of to join in our parade.
There is no charge to join in our parade but any donations received will be given to CARE - Companion Animal Rescue & Education in Jefferson County.
The parade will assemble in Graveyard Alley beside the Shepard's Inn by 11:30am and at 11:50pm will march to the music while parading to the intersection of Main St. & Gay St. & back down to near the Food Vendors area & return.
Festival Teeshirts will be on sale at the M3 Graphics tent in front of the Visitors Center on Main street during the festival.
2023 Entertainers
Pipe & Drum Band Challenge Playoff
The Knoxville Pipes & Drums
The Chattanooga Pipe Band
The Memphis Pipe Band
Entertainers
SYR (sire) is a Celtic Folk Rock band from Columbia, SC. Taking inspiration from Celtic history, stories and myth, SYR creates powerful songs with themes of battle, love and victory, celebrating the rich heritage of the Celtic Nations in a contemporary style with broad audience appeal.
SYR's reputation for a high-energy performance has made them a popular attraction for many Celtic festivals and events, building a following across the US and internationally.
The band consists of siblings Kyle (lead vocals, guitar) and Laurel MacCallum (vocals & percussion), Kelly Vance (bass), Greg Vance (drums), and Worth Lewallen (fiddle).
Sponsored by Dale Bryant, DDS
Celtic Conundrum are known for creating new traditional music, exceptional harmonies, and heart stopping vocals! hailing from a town with Celtic roots, the band's music is further influenced by rock, folk, and the world! the members of Celtic Conundrum, have toured throughout most of the world before joining together to develop a unique style, coined as American Celtic. the band's original music and their arrangements of traditional songs has been very well received worldwide and in publications to include Irish Music Magazine.
Sponsored buy Regions Bank
Bob Valentine, Emcee and Entertainer (shown with fan club above) will return again to the Dandridge Festival. He will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Festival Opening Ceremony and for the Highland Stage during the Saturday performances as well as the Ceilidh by the Loch.
Sponsored by H.B. Jarnagin Insurance
Katie Carver , Champion Irish Step Dancer, is also long thought of as 'Family' in Dandridge. She will bring her students to perform Irish Dancing on the Lowland Stage. She will also perform in the Ceilidh on the Loch, Saturday night.
Sponsored by Rick Bowlin, CPA
Smoky Mountain Highland Dancers will be demonstrating Highland Dances on the Lowland Stage several times during the day. Highland Dance is a traditional form of dance originating in Scotland. For hundreds of years, men & women have danced the traditional steps to the tune of the great highland bagpipes.
Sponsored by Assured Insurance Consultants
Trip Rogers, the powerful Irish music icon is on a mission…to make Celtic music that forces folks to stand up and take notice. This is not the fragile, romanticized Celtic music you hear in movie soundtracks, but the kind that makes you sing along and stomp your feet. This seasoned music veteran from Mint Hill, NC, weaves traditional Scottish and Irish music with original creations while adding a southern swagger that sets the stage on fire. Trip's stage presence creates a rebel rousing party that not only draws fans in, but makes them feel like a part of the show. Trip Rogers delivers the beauty and tradition of Celtic music, new and old, with the guts, showmanship, and attitude of an arena rock band. You will likely find him wherever kinsmen are gathered and the craic is lively!
Sponsored by the Shepard Inn
Kathryn & Rusty Powell enjoy connecting with their Celtic roots through traditional and original music and stories. They love performing with other artists and musicians in a variety of genres and for all ages. With a clear voice, a fiddle, guitar, and mandolin, and occasionally sock puppets, Kathryn performs with humor and heart. While Rusty brings both musical and technical abilities to the duo, his beautiful melodies, gritty rhythms, and musical creativity on the harmonica, are what he’s best known for.
Sponsored by Pinnacle Financial Partners
Kelly Shipe an outstanding Piper & Harpist, has been our 'Lone Piper on the Dike' following our Ceilidh by the Loch, for all ten years of the Festival and will again do so in 2017. Taken from the Military Tattoo annually at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland, Kelly shown above spotlighted on an otherwise ptich black dike at 9pm, is an awesome sight, and sound, to behold.
Sponsored by McSpadden, Inc.
Lakin's Highland Cattle & Black Faced Sheep and Sheep Dog Exhibit
Sponsored by Jefferson Co Farm Bureau & David Haston
Wild Blue Yonder Wild Blue Yonder’s energetic brand of Appalachian Celtic music celebrates our region’s rich Scots-Irish heritage and offers something for every lad and lassie - lively reels, haunting ballads, and sprightly original tunes. With fiddle, bagpipe, whistles, mandolin, bodhran, guitar, bouzouki and vocals, the group brings fresh voice to ancient melodies.
Wild Blue Yonder shows feature not only firey arrangements of traditional songs from the British Isles, but also a taste of Celtic lore and language. The band has performed professionally since the year 2000 across East Tennessee, Virginia and Western North Carolina and released three CDs.
Wild Blue Yonder was formed by songwriters Philip Coward and Melissa Wade, who were joined by fiddler Cindy Wallace in 2003. Each of the three hail from families who played and sang songs passed down from their Scots-Irish ancestors. With newer band members Karen and Michael Leffel, from East Tennessee and Kentucky, Wild Blue Yonder holds a deep respect for the traditions of Appalachia and the music that traveled here from Celtic regions afar.
Sponsored by Thomas Heat & Air
Jay McClure is also known by his stage name: Haggis Macleod, the Prevaracating Scotsmon. He's a purveyor of outrageous tales, extravagant prevaracations, and shrewd witticisms...and occasionally if he's of a mind, he'll tell the truth. He has been performing storytelling over 25 years, previously with the Brevard (FL) Theatrical Ensemble, performing a wide variety of stories.His specialty is Celtic stories with an emphasis on the Clan Macleod. He was given permission by the Clan's past chief (RIP) to wear pheasant feathers as Clan Baird and storyteller. Jay will be telling stories and serving as master of ceremonies for the Lowland Stage.
Sponsored by Farmers Insurance
Col. Randy Gratz, USAF Ret. is a native of East Tennessee and following a 39-year career in the Air Froce moved to the Florida Keys. He and his wife Sarah now split their time between Florida and the Maryville area. Randy will be performing demonstrations of the traditional highland athletic events, including the Caber Toss, Weight over the Bar, Hammer Throw & Sheaf Toss.
The Thistle Club
The Thistle Club of the Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival is for those individuals who wish to be Contributing Patrons of the Festival. We have three categories of Patron Programs: Golden Patrons, Benefactor Patrons and Heather Patrons. We would be very grateful if you would consider contributing to support our festival. Thank you so much for your continued gratuity!
2023 Contributing Patrons
Golden Patrons
Bill & Marla Black - Dandridge
Chris & Freida Umberger - Dandridge
Steve Lowry - Gallatin, TN
Mike Dockery & Vonda Laughlin - Jefferson City
John Hampton & Janet Drass-Talbot - Dandridge
Linda Maxwell - Dandridge
Wynonna Collins - Dandridge
Bill & Emalie Dockery - Knoxville
Curtis & Leigh Barnes - Dandridge
Jerry Watkins & Carolyn Hart-Watkins -Dandridge
David Freeland & Lisa Lindley - Dandridge
Tom & Rebecca Moak - Dandridge
Benefactor Patrons
Thad & Lavigne Kirkpatrick - Dandridge
Bob Schreck - Rogersville
Cecil & Ginger Franklin - Dandridge
Robert Smith - Sevierville
Heather Patrons
Roman & Jane Schule - Dandridge
Joe Dockery - Talbott
Ella Dockery - Knoxville
Chuck & Brittney Ferguson - Sevierville
Doug & Caroline Goddard - Dandridge
Becky Murray - Dandridge
Sonny & Diane Sherrod - Dandridge
Rick Farrar - Dandridge
Priscilla Felknor - Dandridge
Scott Harris - Strawberry Plains
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A CONTRIBUTING PATRON, PLEASE SEE OUR PACKAGES BELOW.
GOLDEN
The Golden Patron's Package requires a minimum of $350 contribution to the Festival.
Golden Patron Benefits include:
1. Two Gold Ribbon Nametags
2. Two Reservations at the Patrons’ Reception on Sept. 23nd at the Dandridge First United Methodist Church.
3. Admission for two at the Shepard's Inn on Saturday for rest, a cold drink & restrooms.
4. Front Row Reserved Seats at the Ceilidh by the Loch, Saturday evening.
5. A Very Special Scottish Treat Basket, also including a fine Taste of the Highlands
BENEFACTOR
The Benefactor Patron's Package requires a minimum of $125 per individual or $250 per couple contribution to the Festival.
Benefactor Patron Benefits include:
1. One/Two Green Ribbon Nametags
2. Two Reservations at the Patrons’ Reception on Sept. 23nd at the Dandridge First United Methodist Church..
3. Admission for two at the Shepard's Inn on Saturday for rest, a cold drink & restrooms.
4. Front or 2nd Row Reserved Seats at the Ceilidh by the Loch, Saturday evening.
HEATHER
The Heather Patron's Package requires a minimum of $75 per individual or $150 per couple contribution to the Festival.
Heather Patron Benefits include:
1. One/Two Heather Nametags
2. One/Two Reservations at the Patrons’ Reception on Sept. 23nd at the Dandridge First United Methodist Church.
IF YOU WOULD PREFER TO WRITE A CHECK, PLEASE SEND IT TO
The Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival, P.O. Box 1568, Dandridge, TN 37725
Honored Sponsors
No group is more important to this festival than our sponsors. Our festival is totally driven by our sponsors and contributing patrons, which allows us to offer free admission to the public. Thank you Sponsors!
Directions and Parking
From I-40, Exit 417 (middle left) or from I-40, Exit 24, on US25-W (far right)
Parking Locations in downtown Dandridge are shown below. Shuttle Bus will be available from two locations: A) First Baptist Church parking lot (upper left of map) and B) Large lot on Cherokee Drive at W. Main Street (far lower left) Handicap Parking will be available just west of the intersection of Highway 92 and Main Street, adjacent to the festival area on Main Street.
ale garden
..
A Celtic Ale Garden has been included as an added dimension to our annual Scots-Irish Festival. Various ales from the Highland Brewery in Asheville will be provided by Cherokee Distributing of Knoxville.
Each person of legal age will be able to purchase up to three ales during the day of the festival.
The Scots-Irish Ale Garden is located just a few steps from Main Street, and within view of the Highland Stage entertainment.
2022 Festival
We had a very successful Festival in 2022. The photos below show a little bit of the variety of activities that took place and the fun that our participants enjoyed. We’re already planning this year’s event and hope that you’ll join us on September 30, 2023!
