The loss of major financial support has resulted in the cancellation of the 29th Columbus Scottish Festival normally held in September every year at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds.
This marks the second straight year for cancellation, since the COVID-19 pandemic intervened and caused a cancellation in 2020.
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 normally unfolds rain or shine.
The gathering generally attracts 3,000 to 5,000 people, from children to retirees, for the weekend, according to organizers’ estimates.
Organizers announced the news on the Columbus Scottish Festival Facebook page.
" … We feel that a full festival at this time would risk our ability to present the festival in years to come. As a nonprofit organization, we present the high-quality festival our visitors have come to expect through the combined resources of nonprofit grants, generous sponsorships and entry fees."
Organizers said there would be virtual festival programming for Sept. 11-12, the dates the event was to be held. Social media reaction was mostly understanding with the realization that many area businesses and corporations have been hard hit by elements of the pandemic.
The Columbus Scottish Festival was first held Aug. 14-16, 1992, in Clifty Park feature dance, pipe bands, athletic competition and what organizers called Clan Row. The weather turned rainy and chilly as it often has for the event, but people turned out from a number of states for what organizers said was a healthy first-year crowd.
The current festival boasts a broader reach, sometimes attracting attendees even from other countries, according to organizers.
The next Scottish Festival is scheduled Sept. 10-11, 2022.
