Mary Draper Ingles Festival: July 24-26, 2026

Celebrate America’s 250th founding at the Mary Draper Ingles Festival July 24-26 at Glencoe Mansion in Radford and nearby sites. Hear from outstanding writers, musicians, dancers and reenactors who bring Virginia’s frontier life alive. At the center of this event is the enduring story of a journey by young pioneer Mary Draper Ingles made famous by the New York Times’ bestseller, “Follow the River” Art shows, a charming craft brewery, tours of a historic tavern and kids’ activities round out the weekend.

Friday–July 24

Glencoe Mansion

  • Museum Open; 10-4

  • Screening of Mary Draper Ingles Panel Discussion; 4 pm City Council Chambers

Mary Park

  • Park Open; Dawn to Dusk

Long Way Brewing

  • Brewery Open; 3-10 pm

RU Art Museum Tyler Gallery

  • Museum Open; 12-4 pm

Wilderness Road Regional Museum

  • Museum Open; 10:30 am-4:30 pm

Saturday–July 25

Glencoe Mansion

  • Museum Open; 10-3

  • Event Tent

    • 10 am–Festival Dedication Service in Memory of Col. Bud Jeffries

    • 11 am–King’s Mountain Book Reading with author Sharyn McCrumb - Book Signing

    • 12 pm–”Pioneer and Patriot: The Life of Andrew Lewis” presented by Garrett Channell, Director of the Salem Museum

    • 1 pm– “Captivity Narratives and Religious Logics of Settlement along the Appalachian Eastern Divide, 1740-1770” presented by Geoffrey Pollick, PhD, of Radford University

    • 2 pm–”Fulfilling the Revolution’s Promise: The Civil War Service of the 102nd USCT”; presented by Sharon Roger-Hepburn, PhD, of Radford University

  • Kids’ Activities

    • 10 am–1pm: Little Critters Petting Zoo

    • Cowbelly Bounce House

    • Mary Draper Ingles Storytime for Kids: 10 am

  • Music (Glencoe Field)

    • 10 am; Sharon Edwards (Pop/Rock Covers)

    • 11 am; Sharon Edwards (Country Covers)

    • 12 pm; Ball & Chain

    • 1 pm; Ball & Chain

    • 2 pm; Geoff the Fiddler

  • Food Trucks (Glencoe Field)

    • Hethwood Market

    • Wiggly Pig BBQ

    • Lizard Licks Sno Cones

  • Beer from Long Way Brewing (Glencoe Field)

    • 10 am to 3 pm

  • Other Activities

    • Fincastle Company Reenactors

    • DCR Booth–Nature Information

    • Salem Museum Booth

    • Historic Montgomery County Sites

    • Dina Smith-Glaviana Historical Clothing Exhibit

    • Floyd Historical Dancers: 11 am

  • “Homecoming” Art Show Opening Reception; 1:30-3:00

  • Radford Farmers Market

    • Market Open; 9 am to 3 pm

    • Vendors-Farmers Market and Craft Vendors

Mary Park

  • Park Open; Dawn to Dusk

Long Way Brewing

  • Brewery Open; 12-10 pm

RU Art Museum Tyler Gallery

  • Museum Open 12-4 pm

  • Radford Art Show Reception; 1-4 pm

Wilderness Road Regional Museum

  • Museum Open 10:30 am-4:30

Ingles Tavern

  • Jeffries Jam & Tavern Tours 3-8 PM **Accessible Only by Event Shuttle

    • Ricky Cox & Willard Gayheart

    • Indian Run Duo

    • Carrie Hinkley of Virginia Hollow

    • Tim Thornton

    • Sam Leary & Friends

Sunday–July 26

Glencoe Mansion

  • Museum Open; 1-4 pm

  • Screening of Panel Discussion; 1 pm City Council Chambers

Mary Park

  • Park Open; Dawn to Dusk

Long Way Brewing

  • Brewery Open; 1-7 pm

RU Art Museum Tyler Gallery

  • Museum Open; 12-4 pm

Wilderness Road Regional Museum

  • Possible Ingles Tavern Tours, TBD

Scarrette Radford Theatre

  • Screening of Blue Ridge PBS “Resolved to Live or Die;” TBD