File photo Bagpiper Steven Stuart is shown at a past Columbus Scottish Festival.
A sometimes longing, mournful sound of late summer in the Columbus area might sound a bit more cheery to many in a few days.
Because the bagpipe-laden Columbus Scottish Festival is returning Sept. 10 and 11 to the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds, 750 County Road 200s in Garden City after the COVID-19 pandemic canceled it in 2020 and a lack of sponsors killed it last year.
“I have missed the joy of being with all the people,” said Mike Bostelman, festival president.
Currently, organizers also are missing a few volunteers. They could use about 120 more volunteers to sign up via email at [email protected]
Ideally, they also could use a bit more sponsor support this year, too. Mike Bostelman, festival president, said total attendance needs to be in the 5,000 to 6,000 range — a mark it has achieved in its better years — in order to adequately cover expenses where sponsorship support currently stands.
“We do really need a good, strong turnout,” he said.
Part of the reason for a little extra pressure with attendance is that costs have significantly increased since 2019.
“Tent expenses alone have doubled,” Bostelman said, highlighting a staple of the festival for vendors and much more.
In the past few years, such as 2018, the event known for everything from sheepdog trials to the unique Highland games, frequently has been beset by heavy rain that hurt attendance and left organizers frustrated. The gathering is held rain or shine.
Plus, Bostelman acknowledged that getting grants for the event sometimes proves tricky because of the festival’s different nature.
“We’re not quite diverse enough for many of the grants (of today),” Bostelman said, explaining that the event doesn’t deal with inequality, social justice or direct education.
Columbus resident and Scottish native Fay Stewart helped launch the festival in 1992.
How to help
Columbus Scottish Festival organizers are recruiting more volunteers for the event Sept. 10-11 at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds. Volunteer by emailing [email protected]
