More than 80,000 people are expected to attend this year’s 37th annual Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival, taking place September 5-8 at Stanley Park Fairgrounds in Estes Park.
“I am grateful for the continued success of the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival as we celebrate our 37th year,” said Dr. James Durward, festival founder. “I am particularly excited about this year’s special tribute to the history of Estes Park. During World War II the citizens of Estes Park purchased bonds to pay for a fighter plane to help the war effort. A replica of this plane, called the Estes Park Avenger, will fly over the festival grounds as a reminder of the rich history of our town.”
The festival kicks off Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. with Tattoo Estes – a one-of-a-kind parade ground concert that feahues military and pipe band s. This year’s program celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Korean War and will include the ScottishPower Pipe Band, Band of America’s Few, Bermuda Regimental Band, Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums, Fountain City Brass Band, Queen City Pipe Band, Fort Collins Pipe Band, Pipedance and many more. It will also take place on Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.
World-class Jousters headline the festivities as they vie for the sport’s largest purse in what is considered to be the “Super Bowl of Jousting” . This competition features skill and accuracy events as well as the heavy armor competition. The Highland games showcase equally talented athletes displaying amazing strength and vying for the U.S. and international pro and amateur championships in the caber toss, hammer and stone throw.

For more information and to order tickets, call 1-800-90-ESTES, visit www.scotfest.com or go through Ticketwest at any King Soopers location.