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.
