Scottish Festival and Highland Games celebrates 30th Anniversary

From the Caber Toss to the Highland Dancers to the Dogs of Scotland, the annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games is bigger and better than ever in its 30th year.

On Friday, June 17, guests can enjoy the ever-popular Heavy Athletics Exhibition, Whisky VIP Master Class, Solo Pipe Band Competition, and of course, the Heather Queen competition, crowning the 2016 Queen and Court. A perfect outing for the entire family, the fest also features an action-packed kid’s area with mini-golf, balloons, tattoos and mini athletics. The activities frun from 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

The fun continues Saturday, June 18 with the thrilling Heavy Athletics, including the Caber Toss, the 22-pound Hammer Throw, the Sheaf Toss and the Clachnert, as well as the Highland Dance competition, and an intense Rugby Sevens Highland Challenge. The lively Mid-West Pipe Band Championship competition, the largest pipe band competition in the Midwest features more than 20 pipe bands and 300 solo performances of pipers and drummers. The festivities conclude with the Closing Ceremonies and Massed Bands Show, an exhilarating concert featuring 1,000 bagpipers and drummers performing traditional musical selections including Amazing Grace. The fun runs from 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.

Celtic Rock Stage entertainment for this year includes high energy Celtic inspired performance group Chelsea House Orchestra, Celtic Folk Rock Band Enter The Haggis, Cleghorn and performances by Jon Langford and Sally Timms of the Mekons.

Ticket prices for the 30th Annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games range from $5 to $25. Two Day and Weekend Passes are also available. The festival is held at Hamilton Lakes, Itasca, Illinois, located at I-290 and Thorndale Avenue. Parking will be available on pavement in parking garages. Parking will be $5 per vehicle for parking on both Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18 or guests may purchase a two-day parking pass for $8. For more information, event schedules, competition registration forms or to purchase tickets, visit www.scottishfestivalchicago.org or call (708) 426-7149.