24th ANNUAL SCOTTISH FESTIVAL & HIGHLAND GAMES June 18, 2010

The Illinois Saint Andrew Society presents the
24th ANNUAL SCOTTISH FESTIVAL & HIGHLAND GAMES
Promoting Chicago's Scottish Tradition, Revelry, and Culture in a Weekend Celebration
for the Entire Family!

Chicago—Experience the best of Scotland without leaving Chicago at the Illinois Saint Andrew Society 24th Annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games, June 18-19, 2010 at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds in Oak Brook, Illinois. The Illinois Saint Andrew Society invites everyone to be Scottish for this weekend-long annual summer celebration. Offering an extensive array of unique Scottish traditions, revelry, and culture for the whole family, festival events include: a Champion supreme bagpipe competition; Highland Dance competition; Heavy Athletics U.S. Championship; Youth soccer tournament; Parade of Clan Tartans; Cultural exhibits; Scotch whisky tastings and seminars; live Celtic musical performances (both traditional and Celtic rock); Raffle; Children’s activities; Various attendee contests; Scottish cuisine; Shopping in the Celtic Marketplace.

“This is the largest and best Scottish festival in the Midwest,” said Gus Noble, President of the Society. “We pride ourselves on making families feel like they’ve 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 18 with exhibits and vendors open from 4:00pm - 8:00pm. Friday evening highlights include: Highland Dance competition, Heavy Athletics Friday Night Fling, crowning of the 2010 Heather Queen and Court and Whisky tastings and seminars. There will be a Ceilidh (pronounced Kay-Lee), a lively celebration of traditional and contemporary Celtic music, from 7:00-10:00pm on the Celtic rock stage.

The festival continues Saturday, June 19 from 8:00am - 9:00pm and features: Champion Supreme Piping and Drumming competition; Heavy Athletics U.S. Open Championship 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); Highland Dance competition; Rugby Sevens Highland Challenge; Coerver Cup 3v3 youth soccer tournament; Dogs of Scotland and other animal presentations; Genealogy and cultural exhibits; Parade of Clan Tartans; Children’s activities including mini golf, crafts and carnival attractions; and attendee competitions including the Kilted Mile Fun Run/Walk, British Car Show, Haggis Hurling Contest for women, Knobbly Knees contest for men, Haggis Eating Contest and Shortbread Contest. Attendees will also enjoy musical performances on the Celtic Rock Stage and Arts

& Culture stage, Whisky tastings and seminars, traditional Scottish or American cuisine and shopping in the Celtic Marketplace.

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.

TICKETS: Advance discounted tickets…Now through June 1, 2010
Friday-Children 12 & Under FREE; Adult $9
Saturday- Children 12 & Under FREE; Adult $14
Patron Weekend Pass-$70.00 Two-day pass includes entry into the festival, premier seating inside the Patron Tent with views of Games’ venues, food and beverages, and Saturday Preferred Parking Pass.
Tickets purchased in advance will be held at Admission Gate Will Call.

General Adult tickets purchased at the festival gate are an additional $3.00. Patron tickets are an additional $5.00. All tickets are non-refundable.

The festival is open to the public on Friday, June 18 from 4:00pm - 10:00pm and Saturday, June 19 from 8:00am - 9:00pm. The Oak Brook Polo Grounds are located on 31st Street, just West of York Road. For more information, event schedules, competition registration forms or to purchase tickets, visit the Illinois Saint Andrew Society website at www.chicagoscots.org or call (708) 447-5092.

Illinois Saint Andrew Society would like to thank the following corporate sponsors: American Airlines, Classic Malts, Dewar’s, Guinness, Illinois Arts Council, Johnnie Walker, Radio Disney AM 1300 and Sterling Engineering.
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The Illinois Saint Andrew Society nourishes Scottish identity through service, fellowship and celebration of Scottish culture. Established in 1845, the Illinois Saint Andrew Society is the oldest 501c3 charity in Illinois. Today the Society has grown into the largest Scottish cultural organization in North America. As well as organizing and funding initiatives to preserve Scottish traditions and promote Scottish culture, the Society offers a wide range of elder care services at our Scottish Home. The Illinois Saint Andrew Society welcomes everyone who is Scottish by birth, by heritage or simply by inclination.