Affordable Scottish Fest , Highland Games at Oak Brook Polo Grounds
Organizers of the 23rd Scottish Festival and Highland Games know money is tight for everyone right now.
But members of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society, which hosts the event, also know the annual festival is a key day on the calendars of area Scots and lovers of Scottish culture.
To help ensure everyone can make it to the family-oriented festival this year, the society waived all fees for children's admission to the two-day event, which comes to the Oak Brook Polo Grounds on Friday and Saturday, June 19 and 20.
"It is a family event and by making this change we are really committing to the essential nature of it," said Gus Noble, president of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society. "It's a tough economy right now and we wanted to make sure families - regardless of their financial situation - are able to come and enjoy everything we have to offer."
The festival opens Friday with exhibits and vendors. The night's events include a Highland Dance competition, a heavy athletics competition, crowning of the 2009 Heather Queen and Court and whiskey tastings and seminars.
Later in the evening, starting at 7 p.m., the fest will present a Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee), which features performances of traditional and contemporary Celtic music.
Noble said the festival offers attractions for native Scots, for visitors who are Scottish by heritage and for people who are simply Scottish "by inclination or affinity."
"Whether you love Franz Ferdinand, golf, a drink of whiskey, studied in Scotland, 'Braveheart,' or are just interested in the culture, then this festival is for you," Noble said. "Our society's mission is to nourish Scottish identity, and we think this festival is one of the best ways we can accomplish that."
The festival continues Saturday and will feature a piping and drumming competition; a Highland dance competition with more than 100 dancers; youth soccer and rugby tournaments; falconry; genealogy workshops; and seminars on Celtic canines.
A signature attraction of the event is the Heavy Athletics U.S. Open Championship, which features traditional Scottish contests like the caber toss (flipping a 20-foot, 140-pound tree trunk), the 22-pound hammer throw and the sheaf toss, in which competitors flip a bale of hay over a high bar.
But not all the athletic competitions are for pros. Visitors can join in with the Kilted Mile Run/Walk, a British car show, a haggis hurling contest for women and the Knobbly Knees Kilt Contest for men as well as a haggis eating contest and a shortbread contest.
Children's activities on Saturday include mini golf, crafts and carnival attractions.
Other Saturday attractions include more musical performances, whiskey tastings and seminars, vendors and a tea and shortbread tent.
The festivities culminate with closing ceremonies and massed bands show, which includes 1,000 bagpipers and drummers who join to perform traditional musical selections including "Amazing Grace."
Proceeds from the festival benefit the nonprofit Illinois Saint Andrew Society, which provides elder care services at its Scottish Home in North Riverside. The organization also funds scholarships for students to study in Scotland and for local Highland musicians to record music and host competitions.
<p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>What:</b> Illinois Saint Andrew Society's 23rd annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>When:</b> 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 19; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, June 20</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>Where:</b> Oak Brook Polo Grounds, 700 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>Cost:</b> $12 for adults on Friday, $17 on Saturday, free for children both days; $75 for Patron Tickets that include festival entry, premier seating in the Patron Tent with game views, beverages and snacks, daily meal ticket, Saturday Preferred Parking Pass and unlimited access to the Whiskey Tasting Tent.</p> <p class="factboxtextbold12col"><b>Details:</b> <a href="http://chicago-scots.org " target="new">chicago-scots.org </a>or (708) 447-5092.</p>