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Be Scots for a day at the Highland Games
The color guard is part of the traditional Parade of Clan Tartans during the Highland Games.
‘Scottish Festival and Highland Games’
4-10 p.m. Friday, June 15; 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, June 16
Hamilton Lakes, at I-290 and Thorndale Avenue, Itasca; parking is $5
Friday admission: children 12 and under, free; adults $12
Saturday admission: children under 2 free; children ages 3-12, $5; adults $20
(708) 447-5092 ore see chicagoscots.org
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Updated: June 12, 2012 8:47PM
Spines tingle when more than 1,000 pipers and drummers break into the throbbing tones of “Amazing Grace” to signal the end of the annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games each year.
“Every time I talk about it, I get goose bumps,” said Julia Witty, director of programming with the Chicago Scots, who will be on hand at Hamilton Lakes in Itasca both days this year, the 26th for the games’ traditional closing ceremonies andhymn.
But before that, the
biggest Scottish festival
in the Midwest will run from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, with a colorful activity-filled program of athletics, dancing, skill demonstrations, Celtic music, Scottish food, soccer and rugby tournaments and whimsical contests.
All things Scots
“We have traditional and contemporary Scottish music with pipe bands and also some contemporary Celtic rock,” Witty said. “We have an entire children’s area with different activities including a mini Heavy Athletics, so the kids can try some of the different sports they’re seeing on the Heavy Athletics field. We have a Celtic market place with different vendors from around the country selling everything from iron brew and shortbread to kilts and other apparel.”
There’s also a British car show, pipe band competitions and Highland dance competitions, and the Heavy Athletics and plenty of rugby.
“There’s definitely a little bit of something for everyone,” she said.
The most popular events are the Heavy Athletics, featuring traditional Scottish contests like the Caber Toss (flipping a 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 Clachneart (throwing a 16-pound river stone).
You can see demonstrations of Heavy Athletics starting at 4 p.m. Friday, she said, before Saturday’s day-long competitions.
“We have competitors from all over the country,” she said. “We have some that actually compete nationally and do the different tours nationally and internationally. We have some … local people, but a lot of these guys do compete around the country every weekend during the gaming season.”
The competitors wear traditional Scottish kilts to compete. “People are definitely decked out full-on for the entire day,” Witty said. “It’s definitely a fun event. It’s definitely unique. And it’s family-oriented, which is nice. And there’s so much going on at all times.”
In addition to the kids’ version of the Heavy Athletics — where little ones can try a mini caber toss — there’s face painting, train and pony rides, a large kids’ crafts area and inflatables.
When you get hungry, head to the food court for traditional Scottish fare or American classics.
“A lot of people also come out to get their traditional Scottish food fix for the year,” Witty said. “We have a lot of expatriates and this is one of the times they can actually pick some of the more traditional food. We have traditional Scottish food, as well as standard festival fare for people who aren’t necessarily inclined to try the other stuff.”
When you’re done eating, you can head over to the whiskey tastings and seminars.
Scots animals
An area on the north side of the field is devoted to the Dogs of Scotland, showing breeds indigenous to the country, she said. People can learn the history of dogs in Scotland and the canines will give herding demonstrations.
“This year we also have a falconry demonstration,” she said. “The International Heritage Conservancy comes out and does falcon demonstrations as well.”
Some of the more whimsical competitions include a haggis hurling contest for women. Lassies will stand on half a whiskey barrel and attempt to throw a frozen pound of haggis the farthest, Witty said. Anyone can register at the Scottish Cultural Tent.
“We also have a haggis eating contest, which continues to grow in popularity,” she said.
Finally, kilted gentlemen can enter the Knobbly Knees contest, she said.
You don’t have to be Scots to have fun. “We welcome everybody who is Scottish by birth, heritage or inclination,” Witty said. “It’s definitely a very welcoming community. We love to see new people come out and have a chance to go to Scotland for a day and not even leave the Chicago area. There’s something for everyone, and it’s perfect for the family and a great activity for Father’s Day weekend.”
