Celebrating the 51st Waldensian Festival

The 51st annual Waldensian Festival is now in the books. Held annually in August, the two-day event began as the “Festival of the Glorious Return” to commemorate one of the most important dates in Waldensian history.

In the late 17th century, thousands of Waldensians were killed or imprisoned by the command of King Louis XIV of France. After other European protestants protested against the persecution, those men who survived prison were released and forced into exile in Geneva, Switzerland.

In August 1689, led by Henry Arnaud, 800 men fought their way back through a French force of 2,500. Because of the unconquerable spirit that led them home, celebrating the glorious return of the Waldenses to their valleys has been celebrated each August for more than 300 years. The events originally were commemorated in Valdese with a community picnic and worship service on Aug. 15. In 1976, the first festival of the Glorious Return was held in Valdese on the second Saturday in August.

Each year, the Waldensian Festival highlights the Town’s unique heritage with a variety of events that fill the quaint downtown with more than 15,000 visitors and residents during the two-day festival celebration. The Friday night kickoff featured live music, a classic car show, amusement rides, and a special presentation of the outdoor drama “From This Day Forward.” The weekend continues on Saturday when Main Street is lined with more than 170 food/art/craft vendors, amusement rides, a bocce tournament, an open art competition, attraction tours, street dances, and live music throughout the day.

— AKC