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 the 2025 festival line up 

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Music

Dylan and John Cleghorn Scottish Tartan

CLEGHORN

 renowned fiddler Dylan Cleghorn and his father, the legendary Texas guitarist John Cleghorn. CLEGHORN’s unique brand of “Celtic rock” mixes their original songwriting with high energy fiddle and bagpipe tunes.   Joined by drummer Danny Rasaily, they are truly America's favorite Celtic rock band!

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Emerald Accent

based out of Laurel, MS., these five musicians boast a collective  background in Irish, Bluegrass, and Classical genres,  this band prides itself in their Irish and Scottish traditional styles.  they are at home playing ceilidhs or performing slow soothing jigs and waltzes. This group also provides live accompaniment  for the Jackson Irish Dancers.  

RED RIVER Pipes & DRUMS

a marching band based out of Shreveport, LA under the direction of Pipe Major James Parker.  they perform in venues around the Ark-La-Tex such as parades, Highland Games and bagpipe competitions. They also perform at smaller events requiring only one or two pipers. 

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THE COX FAMILY

Grammy Award Winners, The Cox Family from Cotton Valley, Louisiana continues a trademark sound spanning over seventy years of traditional roots in gospel, bluegrass and country music. known for their collaboration with Alison Krauss and their O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack songs, the continued legacy of founding member Willard Cox lives on through his son Sidney Cox and his daughters – Anna, Sara, and Lydia.

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MANDOLIN STATE

Mandolin State is a genre-bending musical group that has  an eclectic song list ranging from 70s folk-rock to John Prine songs to driving bluegrass tunes. Hailing  from Northeast Louisiana, Mandolin State plays music ranging from progressive bluegrass to folk-rock. The band was founded by Matt Morgan and Jeff Hicks in 2023 following nearly two decades of musical collaborations

Dancers

Held at noon, led by the honored clan. The clans parade around the festival grounds and end at the stage where a kirking of the tartans is held.

Two Separate Shows

A show for Scottish Breeds

A show for Non-Scottish Breeds

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Jackson Irish Dancers

Since 1998, Jackson Irish Dancers have brought  Irish dance events to Mississippi and beyond. , from the up-on-your toes Riverdance-style solo dance to the casual fun of céilí dancing, sets and sean-nós (old-style) dance., they are sure to please  audiences of all ages!

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the clans

Thistle Dancers & Pipers

This is a group of talented young people who perform the traditional Highland dances and music of Scotland. The Thistle Dancers and Pipers are located in Natchitoches, LA and will make their 2nd appearance at Scottish Tartan Festival in 2023!

Kirking of the Tartans

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Gems Dance Company

 This merry band of belly dancers have been entertaining the Ark-La-Tex since 2009. Their dance styles include American and Egyptian Cabaret, Folkloric belly dance, Spanish Fusion, Steampunk, and SCA inspired Medieval dance. They are joined onstage by Logjam who drum for some dance numbers as well as  a guest piper!

Dog Show

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This ceremony is held at noon following the Grand March of Clans. The brief ceremony will be led by Scottish Society Chaplain, Jeffrey Foster.

Storyteller
Jeff Stewart

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Veteran storyteller, Cryptozoologist, television personality and author of books about monsters such as Bigfoot and the Goat Man, Jeff is a direct descendant of Robert The Bruce and the Royal Stewarts of Scotland. He likes to focus on the stories with a theme of ghostly and monstrous legends and lore. Are you getting goosebumps yet?

Storyteller
Jeff D. Hurely

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 A festival veteran, Jeff will regale you with tales of Celtic adventure, humor, and excitement! Having spent most of his life on stage performing, he is an expert in captivating an audience. Be sure not to miss a single thrilling tale!

Medieval
Camp

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The Society for Creative Anachronism, Shire of Ardanroe chapter will join us for Medieval Combat demonstrations as well as setting up a camp with demonstrations of skills and arts common to the medieval times.

Red River Smiths

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See history come alive as the members of the Red River Smiths demonstrate blacksmithing skills of yesteryear. 

Broadsword
Demo

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This is an event sponsored by Shreveport HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts). This will occur at various times throughout the day. 

Weaving

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 Jim Greene creates tartan using wool yarn on a wooden loom. He typically demonstrates weaving a blanket of the official State of Louisiana Tartan.

Spinning

 see a demonstration of  this historic method of spinning thread by hand.

Flintknapping

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a group of hobbyists known as the “Chip-lot-a’s” demonstrate  Flintknapping. They make arrowheads and other items out of rock.

Bids of Prey Exhibit

Gaelic language workshop

HONORED CLAN

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Courtesy of Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Park in Blanchard, Louisiana, meet a falcon and hawk in person. Master Falconer Rusty Scarborough  will teach how to identify these birds through certain identifying characteristics, as well as how they hunt for prey.

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David gressett gives several lessons in Gaelic throughout the day during Scottish Tartan Festival. His experience with Scots Gaelic as well as the Welsh language spans decades.

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oUR HONORED CLAN IN 2025 IS cLAN mAC fARLAND. 

Haggis-Eating
Contest

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An annual competitive eating competition in which a representative of each clan attempts to down a one lb. haggis in record time.  The defending champion in 2022 is Brad Petree, of Clan MacGregor.

Bonniest Knees
Contest

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One of the more entertaining events at the festival. The Bonniest Knees Contest is open to a limited number of men in kilts, whose knees will be felt and judged by a blindfolded lady. Defending champion this year is Pitt Merriman.

Children's
Area

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Dance around the Maypole, get your face painted, create giant bubbles, hunt for leprechaun gold, listen to a story or watch a puppet show.

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