Scottish Festival succeeds in first Fairgrounds outing

Indeed, according to multiple sources, such as Entertainment Chair Greg Beyer, Secretary Pam Scruggs, and the official website, the move was to accommodate expansion, and there was plenty of room to roam, shop, and enjoy the sights, sounds – and tastes – of the Gaelic world.

Kicking off at noon on Saturday, June 7, the Massed Bands and Parade of Tartans brought everyone together again for another year and marked the beginning of the weekend’s festivities.

Trailing through the fairgrounds, pipers and drummers from multiple bands sourced locally and elsewhere around the state cleared the way for families sporting their clan tartans with pride.

To stick with the Old World theme, locations around the fairgrounds were renamed on official brochures and maps, such as the Eller Holler Stage becoming the Edinburgh Stage and the Hootenanny Stage then dubbed the Glasgow Stage. Of course, Lake Chatuge was printed as Loch Chatuge.

Another change from past festivals was the addition of alcohol. Wine, beer, mead and other choices were served around the Pioneer Village, Rusty Kilt Pub and St. Andrew’s Pub.

That said, the festival is still considered a family-friendly event, and there were plenty of children’s activities to give the kiddos something to do or learn about. The Passport to the Clans proved popular as it has in years past, especially now there’s room for more families to set up.

And with more room came more attractions. Celtic Canines, for example, joined the lineup of traditional Scottish animals on display. The two-tent station featured furry friends who could trace their lineage back to the Highlands, including everything from breeds as well-known as the Scottish terrier to the rare Dandie Dinmont terrier, which boasts fewer than 100 individuals in the United States.

Winding around the interior roads was the leisurely fairgrounds train, notably a delight to passengers of all ages and even earning some charm from onlookers with its bells serving as a whistle. As much a mobility aid as a good way to get a tour in, it was also a great opportunity to beat the heat and take a breather.

Athletics were delegated to the ballfield, where folks could choose to check out one of several different sports. The caber toss was especially popular, and as the contestants prepared their throws, guests had the opportunity to find out the history behind the game.

Derived from the Gaelic “cabar” for “wooden beam,” the caber toss’ original use was to build bridges. Young trees were carried whole and thrown down to create temporary crossing points over steep, rugged terrain. Nowadays, it’s used as a competitive trial of strength, with the goal being to toss the caber end-over-end, facing away from the athlete.

It’s estimated that a bigger venue led to a bigger crowd, as remarked by event organizers, volunteers, and even guests.

Kaitlyn Ball attended with her partner, Alex Scott, though neither were strangers to the festival. Ball has been going for over a decade, and Scott has gone with her for the past three years.

“It’s definitely different from Meeks Park,” Ball said. “I feel like it is bigger and there’s more to see; I do feel like they were able to fit more into it. More people have been able to attend. I’ve seen a lot more people here this time than at Meeks Park.”

“I’d say this is very well laid out,” Scott said, particularly pleased with the presence of more rest stops and shade. “Here, it’s really not hard to navigate. You can find whatever you’re looking for within a pretty quick walk.”

Like other history buffs, American Scots, and otherwise dedicated fans of the Scottish Festival, Ball said she would make a point to return both days of the festival in order to get the full experience.

“The more I think about it, everything (is my favorite aspect of the festival),” Ball said with a smile. “The music, the food, the animal demonstrations, the games – all of it.”