Music begins at 11 a.m. in downtown Radford as the much loved and highly anticipated Radford Highlanders Festival kickoff parade returns with some new sounds and faces. In addition to the stirring music of pipe and drums, parade enthusiasts will be treated to the eclectic sounds of Radford’s hometown marching band, The Radford High School Bobcats. Follow the bands as they wind their way through downtown and up Tyler Avenue to the festival grounds on Moffett Field.

From noon until 5:30 p.m., local and regional music acts will perform on Moffett Quad.

The evening concludes with a special concert presentation at 7 p.m. in Bondurant Auditorium, Preston Hall, featuring the sounds of Seven Nations and Scythian.

Though festival admission is free, tickets are required for the 7 p.m. concert. Admission is $10 for RU students and $15 general public.

Scythian

Scythian takes center stage at 7 p.m. Considered one of D.C.’s most energetic and eclectic bands by the Washington Post, this band enjoys bringing fans to their feet and engaging them in the concert. Scythian’s music features young “raging” fiddle players and while honoring the traditions of Celtic music’s roots, they are not afraid to step over boundaries a bit.
Scythian started several years ago as nothing more than a group of street performers. Raised playing classical music, necessity drove Scythian (pronounced sith-ee-yin) to play at street corners in hopes of earning a few bucks for gas money. Although the need for petrol got Scythian started, it was the great times they had and the appreciative listeners they met that kept them going. It was through the encouragement of these friends that Scythian became a full fledged band.

Seven Nations

Festival day culminates with a headline performance by Celtic rockers Seven Nations. No stranger to the festival, this riveting and rocking group was among the first bands to appear at the festival in its formative years. From the time they play their first note until they take their final bow, fans are clapping, cheering, singing and dancing. Birthed in New York City in 1993, the band has since released numerous recordings and toured extensively across the nation. As young musicians, members grew up playing Celtic music. As adults, they have continued their love of traditional music and season their tunes with a style of rock that is original and electrifying.