Arkansas Scottish Festival and Scotsfest slated for October

The 43rd annual Arkansas Scottish Festival and Scotsfest are slated to be held Oct. 27-29 on the Lyon College campus in Batesville.

The Arkansas Scottish Festival began in 1979 as a small fair to pay homage to the Scottish heritage of the college’s Presbyterian founders. This is the third year the festival will be combined with the Lyon College homecoming.

Last year, the event drew more than 5,500 festival-goers and generated an estimated $1.2 million in economic impact to Independence County.

Presented by Lyon College and lead partner, Experience Independence, ScotsFest will feature several new events this year, including a vintage swap meet, a comedy show featuring “America’s Got Talent” alumnus Cam Bertrand, a free rocket-building workshop, and performances by the Piper Jones Band and Celtic musician Misty Posey.

ScotsFest will open at noon on Oct. 27, with a food truck fair, vendors and Scottish clan exhibitions. Featured entertainers that day include third-generation Arkansas musician Garrett Duncan and his wife, Ashton; central Arkansas country rock band Drasco; and award-winning Arkansas bluegrass band The Gravel Yard.

Open classes, a Founders’ Day choir reunion, a Founders’ Day convocation, and an alumni and friends awards celebration and social will also be held that day.

“We look forward to welcoming alumni back to campus all year long, but there’s nothing like the reunions and fun during ScotsFest,” Executive Director of Alumni Engagement Cindy Britton Barber said. “Just follow the sounds of the bagpipes.”

Historical reenactments by MacLachlan’s Jacobite Highlanders and Colonel Munro’s 37th Regiment of Foot, a Highland heavy athletics competition, Scottish clan reunions, sheep dog demonstrations, rocket demonstrations, pipe band exhibitions, Highland dancing, a British car show, the Li’l Highlanders Fun Zone and other events will be held that Saturday.

Popular Celtic performers, the Piper Jones Band, a lyrical, high-energy trio that maintains a strong musical base in traditional tunes from Scotland, Ireland and Appalachia.

Homecoming events on Saturday include a tailgate event, pep rally, student organization reunions, alumni ball games, and alumni and friends meet-and-greets.

The festival concludes that Sunday with historical reenactments, sheep dog demonstrations, Highland dancing, and a Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan worship service.