21st Annual Highland Games and Scottish Festival June 15, 2007

The best of Scotland can be experienced this summer as the Illinois Saint Andrew Society (ISAS) presents the 21st Annual Highland Games & Scottish Festival, June 15-16, 2007 at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds in Oak Brook, Illinois. ISAS, Illinois oldest charity, is proud to once again present the 2-day summer celebration with an extensive varietysomething for everyone in the familyof activities, including: a Champion Supreme Pipe Band competition, Highland Dance Championship, Heavy Athletics Chicago Open, and Rugby Sevens Highland Challenge; a British Car Show; cultural exhibits; Scotch whisky seminars; live Celtic musical performances (traditional and Celtic rock) and entertainment; Parade of Tartans; Raffle; Childrens crafts and activities; as well as a variety of attendee contests such as the Shortbread, Knobbly Knees, Haggis Hurling and Haggis Eating. Guests can enjoy traditional Scottish cuisine and drink, alongside a Celtic Marketplace where a variety of unique Scottish and Celtic merchandise will be available for purchase.

This is the largest and best Scottish festival in the Midwest, said Gus Noble, President and CEO of the Society. We pride ourselves on making families feel like theyve been transported to Scotland for a weekend of fun while enjoying a unique opportunity to learn more about Scottish culture.
The festival kicks off Friday, June 15 with exhibits and vendors open from 4:00-8:00 pm, a Highland Dance Championship and Heavy Athletics competition, along with a Scotch whisky seminar and musical performances. From 7:00-10:00 pm, a Ceilidh(pronounced Kay-Lee), a lively celebration of traditional and contemporary Celtic music and dance, rounds off the evening with musical artists Mother Grove and Enter the Haggis.

The festival continues Saturday, June 16 from 8:00am - 7:30pm, with events including: Piping and Drumming competitions, the Rugby Sevens Challenge, Highland Dance Championship, Falconry, Genealogy, Celtic dog and broadsword seminars and demonstrations, and a variety of interactive childrens functions including miniature golf, arts and crafts and carnival games. Event attendee competitions include: a British Car Show (pre-registration), a Haggis Hurling Contest for women only; a Knobbly Knees Kilt Contest for men only, and the 4th Annual Shortbread Contest (pre-registration). Celtic musical acts (Mother Grove, Reilly and Enter the Haggis) perform at the Celtic Rock Stage throughout the day.

The premiere event on Saturday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, is the Highland Heavyweight Athletic Championships, featuring traditional Scottish contests including the Caber Toss (flipping 20-foot, 140-pound tree trunk), the 22-pound Hammer Throw, the Sheaf Toss (flipping a bale of hay over a high bar) and the Clachnert (throwing a 16-pound river stone). The Championships are sanctioned by the governing body of the North American Scottish Games Athletics.

The festivities culminate with the Closing Ceremonies and Massed Bands Show, a breath-taking spectacle of 1,000 bagpipers and drummers, all joined in performing several traditional musical selections including Amazing Grace.

The Oak Brook Polo Grounds are located on 31st Street, just West of York Road. Advance discounted tickets are available now (through June 1st): Friday: $70.00 Patron Weekend Pass; $18.00 Weekend Pass, $8.00 Adults, $1.00 Children (3-12). Saturday: $55.00 Patron; $13.00 Adults; $3.00 Children (3-12). General Admission tickets purchased at the festival are an additional $2.00 and Patron tickets are an additional $5.00. Parking is $5 on Saturday only. Patron Ticket includes entry into the festival, seating inside the VIP Tent with premier views of Games venues and complimentary food and beverage, Free Parking Pass for Saturday and commemorative Highland Games t-shirt. Advanced discounted admission tickets must be purchased by June 1st and will be sent in the mail. All tickets are non-refundable.

For further information, event schedules, competition registration forms or to purchase tickets, visit the Illinois Saint Andrews Society website at www.chicago-scots.org, email highlandgames@chicago-scots.org, or call (708) 447-5092.

ISAS would like to thank the following Corporate Sponsors: Glenmorangie Scotch, American Airlines Hilton and Walkers Shortbread.

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As the largest Scottish cultural organization in North America, the Illinois Saint Andrew Society nourishes the Scottish identity through service, fellowship and the celebration of traditional and contemporary Scottish culture. Established in 1845, the Society is the oldest charity in the state of Illinois. As well as offering scholarships and financial support for the preservation and promotion of Scottish Arts, our Society owns and operates The Scottish Home, a retirement community in North Riverside.



Event submitted by Eventful.com on behalf of ajaniszewski.