Fans of colonial heroine Mary Draper Ingles and history buffs will find the 2025 festival in Radford City and Pulaski County, Va., filled with music, historic interpreters and sites, food trucks, children’s activities, art and the scenic New River July 25-27. There’s even a beer named for Mary at the local Long Way Brewing.
This year’s Mary Draper Ingles Festival celebrates the 270th anniversary of her 1755 capture and escape during the French and Indian War. Born in Philadelphia to immigrant parents from Ireland, Mary and her family became part of the westward migration movement and eventually settled in Draper’s Meadow (today’s Blacksburg, Va.). In the midst of the war, Mary was captured by American Indians and taken to Ohio. She later escaped and completed a treacherous trip back to her home near the New River. That journey was made famous by the “New York Times” bestseller, “Follow the River.”
New to the festivities at Glencoe Mansion is Kinnfolk, the husband-and-wife duo of Josh and Julie Kinn, who weave octave mandolin, the Irish drum and vocal harmonies into their Celtic folk music. A part of the Virginia Commission for the Arts touring roster, the Roanoke, Va., artists are quickly developing a following in the U.S. and Canada. They have been featured on the cover of the international “Irish Music Magazine” and have been named one of the top Celtic folk bands to watch in 2025.
Blue Ridge mountain music performers William Gayheart and Ricky Cox return for the weekend. Gayheart is from Galax and presents a weekly program at a music venue on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Cox, a folklorist and historian from Floyd County, taught courses at Radford University for over 30 years. Their program will feature duets from “brother acts” in the 1930s and songs made popular by the original Carter Family.
West Virginian Doug Wood, who is known for his interpretations of historic American Indian cultures, returns this year to also present the story of Mary’s son, Thomas, set during the summer of 1775 as he returns home from military duty along the Ohio River. Thomas, who along with his mother, was taken captive by the Shawnees and spent many years among the tribe. Onlookers will hear the story of how this young man lived in both the Native and the European settler worlds. Wood’s wife, Dianne Anestis, will present 18th century uses of medicinal and edible plants and will tie the cultural exchange of knowledge and skills from Amerindians to such frontier newcomers as Mary Draper Ingles.
Madeline Hoge, a historiographer and author who lives on the historic family farm Belle-Hampton in Southwest Virginia. will provide a workshop on how to turn family research into lasting narratives. Her presentation will guide participants through a structured yet personal journey of discovering their roots utilizing interviews with relatives and various research tools.
Other weekend activities include:
- The premiere of a new exhibit “Mary Draper Ingles: Steps to Revolution,” which explores the complexities of the French and Indian War and how the colonial heroine and other settlers became caught up in this global conflict
- The Southwest Virginia Regional Juried Art Exhibition at Radford University’s Tyler Gallery and the “Celebrating Appalachia” show at Glencoe Mansion
- Tours of historic landmarks, Ingles Tavern and La Riviere, also known as Ingles Castle and built by Mary’s great-grandson. Wilderness Road Regional Museum in Dublin is sponsoring 18th century living history interpretations by the Fincastle Company at both the Tavern and the museum.
- Bus tours of Mary Draper Ingles regional sites, Claytor Lake boat tours and floats along the New River between the historic Ingles Tavern and La Riviere.
- Food trucks and vendors at the Radford Farmers Market (adjacent to Glencoe Mansion), which will have extended hours on July 26, from 9 am to 3 pm.
- Food trucks, live music and children’s activities at Long Way Brewing.
For the full schedule, go to www.glencoemansion.org/mdifestival or phone (540) 731-5031. The event is made possible in part by a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts and a grant from the VA250 Commission in partnership with Virginia Humanities.
