Jun 20 2008
22nd Annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games
 Pic: Haggis hurling |
The Chicago Daily Herald tells us that on June 20-21 the Highland Games will be in full fling in Chicago. When it comes to celebrating Celtic culture around Chicago, people of Scottish descent always seem to be overshadowed by the Irish. There’s no national holiday like St. Patrick’s Day when “everyone is Scottish for one day.” It would also be impossible to dye the Chicago River plaid. |
Yet Scottish culture and traditions strongly persevere locally, thanks to efforts of the Illinois St. Andrew Society, a nonprofit charity organization dating back to 1854. The society’s biggest and highest-profile event is the annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games, now celebrating its 22nd year.
Nearly 15,000 people are expected to head to the Oak Brook Polo Grounds to share in Scottish traditions. And you don’t need to have Scottish heritage to get in on the fun.
The festival runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at Oak Brook Polo Grounds, 31st Street and Polo Drive, Oak Brook. Includes Heavy Athletics U.S. Championship, Highland dancing, Celtic music, food, contests, whiskey tastings and crowning of the 2008 Heather Queen and Court. Admission is $8, $3 for children, $18 for a weekend pass and $70 for a patron weekend pass on Friday. On Saturday, admission is $13, $6 for children and $55 for a patron ticket. Parking is $5 per car on Saturday and available at the Polo Grounds and remote lots with free shuttle service. Call (708) 447-5092 or visit http://www.chicago-scots.org.
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