Scottish fest moving from Oak Brook to Itasca
Even though up to 15,000 revelers flock to the Scottish Festival and Highland Games each year in Oak Brook, organizers think the fest has lots of growing room. And they announced Wednesday that Itasca is just the place to do it.
Next year, the fest will leave its longtime home at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds and move to Itasca for its 25th anniversary in June 2011.
Itasca officials and the Illinois St. Andrew Society, which hosts the fest, signed an agreement Wednesday to move the event to Itasca's Hamilton Lakes site. The site hosts many special events in the village, including Itasca's annual Fourth of July fireworks that attracts about 50,000 visitors.
Gus Noble, president of the Illinois St. Andrew Society, said the decision to move is not a slight on Oak Brook after nine years together.
"Our move is actually a testament to the high-quality festival we were able to grow in Oak Brook," Noble said. "There was not a falling out - far from it. We simply need more room to grow."
The two-day Scottish fest attracts up to 15,000 visitors and Noble said he thinks it has potential to someday become as popular as Scottish fests in California and Massachusets that draw up to 60,000 people.
"I think this has the potential to grow sizably," he said.
Itasca officials have high hopes too. At a meeting earlier this week, village trustees said they hope the fest will generate hotel stays and business for local vendors. In 2011, they already predict at least 250 overnight hotel stays that will bring revenue to the village.
"We're really excited and this is going to be a great event," said Village President Jeff Pruyn. "Hopefully 25 years from now we'll be up here holding a press conference celebrating the 50th year of the fest happening in Itasca."
The annual event includes a Highland Dance competition, a heavy athletics competition, crowning of the 2009 Heather Queen and Court, whiskey tastings and children's activities. The 2010 Scottish Festival and Highland Games will be held on Friday, June 18, from 4 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, June 19, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds.
Proceeds benefit the nonprofit Illinois St. 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.