ScotsFest to honor traditions of Homecoming, Highland Games

Lyon College is combining its Arkansas Scottish Festival (ASF) with the excitement of Homecoming for one weekend-long event.

The newly dubbed ScotsFest will start on Friday, Oct. 8, and continue through Sunday, Oct. 10.

ASF began as a small fair on the campus’ intramural field as a part of homecoming celebrations, said Jimmy Bell, director of the Scottish Heritage Program. It featured student vendors, athletics, pipe bands, clans, dancing, and more. He said it was also a way to pay homage to the Scottish heritage of the college’s Presbyterian founders

“It was originally a family weekend thing,” said Director of Advancement Services and Research Kenton Adler. “It was like homecoming, and they mixed in highland athletics.”

For many alumni, the Scottish Festival has always served as a homecoming of sorts, so the college decided to combine the events and give more people the chance to take part in both.

“Having it under one umbrella makes sure that everybody that wants to be here can come at the same time,” Adler said. “You get to see more people, and it makes it easier on alumni because they don’t have to choose between one event or the other.”

Director of Alumni Engagement Cindy Barber said Lyon is excited for the entire community to be back on campus this fall to celebrate a fun-filled weekend of events.

“Together, we will experience everything we love about the Arkansas Scottish Festival while also enjoying the reunions and school spirit of our annual Homecoming activities. What could be better for the Scots’ homecoming than some added Scottish flair?” 

Bell believes the Lyon community will be excited to have the chance to be together on campus.

“People are already straining at the bit to get out and do something,” he said, laughing. “I think we will be packed at ScotsFest. There is going to be a ton of stuff going on.”

Below is a list of the traditional Homecoming and ASF events planned for this October’s Scotsfest. The full schedule can be seen at arscottishfest.com and registration for ticketed events can be found here.

Friday, October 8

• 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Open Classes
• 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., President’s Reception (Highland House)
• 6 p.m., The Kilted Mile (downtown Batesville)
• 6:30 p.m., Annual Lyon College Alumni Awards Celebration (Edwards Commons)
• 9 p.m., Alumni & Friends Social (The River restaurant)

Saturday, October 9

• 8 a.m., President’s Breakfast (VIP Tent in Couch Garden)
• 9 a.m., Highland Athletics Competition (Grassy Knoll)
• 10 a.m., Pipe Band Exhibition (Couch Garden)
• 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Faculty/Families Meet & Greet Brunch (Tailgate Alley)
• 11 a.m., Homecoming Tailgate (Tailgate Alley)
• 3 p.m., Homecoming Football Game (Pioneer Stadium)
• 6 p.m., Cocktail Hour, Feast, Ceilidh, and Dancing, (Entertainment Tent) 
• 9 p.m., Young Alumni Social (Flanders Terrace, Lyon Building)

Sunday, October 10

• 11 a.m., Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan Worship Service (Entertainment Tent)
• 12 p.m., Club 50 Celebration (Maxfield, Edwards Commons)
• 2 p.m., Alumni Women’s Basketball Game (Becknell Gymnasium)