The Dandridge Scots-Irish Music Festival kicks off its ninth year on Saturday, Sept 26, with performances by Celtic artists Bloody Tinth, Tuatha Dea and the Celtic Martins. Three pipe bands—Knoxville Pipes and Drums, 17th Lancers Pipes and Drums, and Loch Norman Pipe Band will compete for the title of best band and cash prizes.
The full day of activities and events start at 9 a.m. with the first in a series of Pipe Band concerts. At 10 a.m. the Street Festival opens with vendors selling Scottish and Irish merchandise and a variety of food, and the start of continuous stage entertainment. There are Highland athletic demonstrations, Highland and Irish Step dance demonstrations, a supervised children’s play area, as well as a fun and funny dog parade. Numerous Scottish Clans and cultural heritage organizations will have displays and information to help you find your “roots”. At noon there will be a huge pipe band parade. At 6 p.m. the evening Ceilidh (Concert) will feature Scottish, Irish and Appalachian Celtic performers, emceed by Bob Valentine. The evening ends with the Lone Piper playing bagpipes at the top of the Town dike.
The festival honors the Town’s earliest settlers dating back to 1783. Every member of the family will enjoy this old-time Main Street Festival on the shores of Loch (Lake) Douglas in the foothills of the beautiful Smoky Mountains. “The Town of Dandridge and the Dandridge Community Trust (DCT)/A Main Street Community are thrilled to host this heritage festival for the ninth year,” said Mary Alice Schmitt, DCT board president. “This family-friendly festival is something that both residents and visitors look forward to each year.”
Entertainment, activities, and parking are provided by generous sponsors, patrons, and the Town Of Dandridge. Donations are encouraged to support the work of the DCT.
Visit the festival website at www.Scots-Irish.org or call 865-397-7420 x17 for complete details on entertainer bios and schedules, pipe and drum entry forms, parking, vendor information, and sponsor packages.
The Dandridge Community Trust/A Main Street Community is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote Dandridge as a premier waterfront community, with a unique cultural heritage, through education, historic preservation and economic development.
Festival sponsors include: Bush Bros; Butterworth Builders; Clancy’s Tavern; Dale Bryant, DDS; Edward Jones; Elkmont Wealth Management; Farm Bureau; First Tennessee Foundation; Franklin Realty; Gass Building; JeffCo Drugs; Jefferson County Standard Banner; Price and Ramey; Rainwater, Drinnon & Churchwell; Regions Bank; Rick Bowlin, CPA; Shepard Inn.