Colorado Scottish Festival, Aug. 5-7, Free, Fun in Snowmass Village

Free!  Yes, free admission.   Free parking.   Free shuttles.  Free Saturday night concert.  It’s enough to warm a thrifty Scotsman’s heart!  Get out of the heat and come on up to Snowmass Village on August 5-7, 2016, and join the fun as the Colorado Scottish Festival celebrates its 53th year as a family-friendly Colorado tradition.  For the first time, this year all events are being moved completely into the Village so that the doors can be open free to all comers.

The Festival features bagpipe bands – the Great Scottish Athletes throwing the caber – graceful Highland dancers and dynamic Irish Stepdancers – colorful clans – a genealogy area (find your cousins!) –historical re-enactors the Renaissance Scots, with their defensive arm, the Wolves of Dunvegan – the dogs of the British Isles – nonstop Celtic music – MacKiddie games for the wee ones — children’s athletic events – a Bonnie Knees contest for gents in kilts — whisky-tasting (educate your palate!) – haggis, Scottish soul food – and vendors with  Celtic food and gifts.

Friday night, enjoy the hottest of the hot pipers and drummers as they compete in the Festival’s Hot Piping and Hot Drumline Contest.  Judging is by the audience, so make your voice heard!  Enjoy the midday ceremonies each day.  Be there as the massed pipes and drums march across the field shaking the earth, followed by the March of the Clans, re-enactors and dogs of the British Isles.  Saturday evening, jump to Celtic rock with the internationally-known group, the Tartan Terrors.  There’s nothing better than a Celtic music concert under the stars! Sunday morning’s traditional Celtic Kirkin (churching) of the Tartans will be followed by the only Blessing of the Animals at a Scottish festival in the Western U.S.  The Festival is dog-friendly, so bring your favorite four-legged family member!

For the best experience of the Festival, join the Thistle Club, and enjoy an exclusive Friday evening reception at the Ice Age Museum, access to the VIP area with special food and adult beverages, Celtic gifts, premier seating at the Saturday night concert, and more.

Lodging reservations made through the Festival’s website are guaranteed to be the best possible price, and include two gondola tickets to the top of spectacular Elk Camp, a $56 value!   For a glimpse of the fun at the Festival, see the new video on the Festival’s website, www.ScottishGames.org.