Four words summarize organizers’ Twitter-worthy rallying cry for the 28th Annual Columbus Scottish Festival Saturday and Sunday: “Kilts optional. Fun mandatory.”
Any questions, lassies and laddies?
The event that brings the culture of the Highlands to the Midwest in the form of everything from food to music to dance to athletics unfolds rain or shine at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds at 750 W. County Road 200 South in Garden City.
Though hearty Scots and Scots-at-heart never allow the weather to determine whether they will have fun, Mother Nature did indeed dramatically drench last year’s attendance with downpours both days. Justin Booth, who just stepped down as longtime festival president, remembers it as quite depressing.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
Attendance, which has been 5,000-plus in recent years, dipped to about 1,500 “of the heartiest supporters,” said Booth, who will serve as this year’s grand marshal.
“No one has any recollection of the festival ever being like that,” Booth said.
It was so wet and dreary that some of the merchants moved their booths into the livestock barn on the grounds for appropriate cover. All but the sheaf toss in the Highland Games, which included a record number of registrants, continued in the heavy rain.
Yet, because of the dramatic difference in attendance, festival organizers have had to deplete the literal rainy day fund this year in order for the gathering to return, though still with a trimmed budget. The Saturday evening ceilidh supper that normally attracted about 300 people has been canceled.
The sanctioned bagpipe ensemble competition this year will feature six ensembles. Booth, who began performing with the local Southern Indiana Pipes and Drums at age 14, still especially loves that part of the festival.
“It adds an extra element of professionalism,” he said. “So, to still be able to pull that off is substantial for us.”
The event also includes two live bands, a European car show, sheepdog demonstrations,whisky tasting, a children’s area, living history camps and more. People strolling the grounds are welcome to bring dogs on leashes.
And, this year, perhaps most importantly, the weather forecast also says it will include mostly sunny skies with temperatures in the 80s.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Bagpipes and more” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
What: The 28th Annual Columbus Scottish Festival, featuring food, music, dance, a merchant area featuring everything from clothing to jewelry, a car show, Highland games, whisky tasting and more.
When: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds at 750 W. County Road 200 South in Garden City.
Admission: $5 to $35 (which is a family package), depending upon age and other factors.
Information: scottishfestival.org or the Facebook page for Columbus Scottish Festival.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
