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2009 Highland Games The Illinois Saint Andrew Society Presents the 23rd ANNUAL HIGHLAND GAMES & SCOTTISH FESTIVAL Promoting Chicago's Scottish Tradition, Revelry, and Culture in a Weekend Celebration for the Entire Family June 19-20,
2009
CHICAGO, IL- Be Scottish for a day this summer as the Illinois Saint Andrew Society (ISAS) presents the 23rd Annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games, June 19-20, 2009 at the Oak Brook Polo Grounds, 700 Oak Brook Road, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523. ISAS, Illinois’ oldest charity, is proud to once again present their annual summer celebration with a dazzling array of events for the whole family, including: a Champion Supreme Pipe Band competition; Highland Dance competition; Heavy Athletics U.S. Championship; Youth 5 v 5 Soccer Tournament; British Car Show; cultural exhibits; Scotch whisky tastings and seminars; live Celtic musical performances (both traditional and Celtic rock); Parade of Tartans; Kilted Mile Run/Walk; Raffle; Children’s crafts and activities; and a variety of attendee contests such as the Shortbread, Knobbly Knees, Haggis Hurling and Haggis Eating. Attendees can also enjoy traditional Scottish cuisine and drink, including a Tea Tent and the Celtic Marketplace, where a variety of unique Scottish and Celtic merchandise will be available for purchase. “This is the largest and best Scottish festival in the Midwest,” said Gus Noble, President and CEO of the Society. “We pride ourselves on making families feel like they’ve been transported to Scotland for a weekend of fun while enjoying a unique opportunity to learn more about Scottish culture.” The festival kicks off Friday, June 19 with exhibits and vendors open from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Friday highlights include: Highland Dance competition, Heavy Athletics Friday Night Fling, crowning of the 2009 Heather Queen and Court and Whisky tastings and seminars. From 7:00-10:00 pm on the Celtic rock stage, there will be a Ceilidh (pronounced Kay-Lee), a lively celebration of traditional and contemporary Celtic music. The festival continues Saturday, June 20 from 8:00 am - 9:00 pm and features: Piping and Drumming competition; Heavy Athletics U.S. Open Championship featuring traditional Scottish contests including the Caber Toss (flipping 20-foot, 140-pound tree trunk), the 22-pound Hammer Throw, the Sheaf Toss (flipping a bale of hay over a high bar) and the Clachnert (throwing a 16-pound river stone); Highland Dance competition featuring over 100 dance competitors; Rugby Sevens Highland Challenge; Youth Soccer 3 v 3 tournament; Falconry, Genealogy and Celtic Canine seminars; Parade of Clan Tartans and Children’s activities including mini golf, crafts and carnival attractions. Event attendee competitions include: Kilted Mile Run/Walk, British Car Show, a Haggis Hurling Contest for women only; a Knobbly Knees Kilt Contest for men only, Haggis Eating Contest and a Shortbread Contest. Attendees can also enjoy musical performances on the Celtic Rock Stage; traditional Scottish cuisine and drink; Whisky Tasting Tent featuring multiple whisky vendors and Whisky Seminar Tent featuring whisky classes; a Tea & Shortbread Tent and the Celtic Marketplace, featuring a variety of unique Scottish and Celtic merchandise. The festivities culminate with the Closing Ceremonies and Massed Bands Show, a breath-taking spectacle of 1,000 bagpipers and drummers, all joined in performing several traditional musical selections including Amazing Grace. TICKETS: Website special…Now through April 15, 2009 Friday-Children 12&Under FREE; Adult $8 Saturday- Children 12&Under FREE; Adult $13 Patron Weekend Pass-$65.00 Two-day pass includes entry into the festival, premier seating inside the Patron Tent with views of Games’ venues, beverages and snacks, meal ticket for each day, Saturday Preferred Parking Pass and unlimited access into the Whisky Tasting Tent. Advance discounted ticket April 16-June 9, 2009: Friday-Children 12&Under FREE; Adult $10 Saturday-Children 12&Under FREE; Adult $15 Patron Weekend Pass-$70 General Adult Admission tickets purchased at the festival gate are an additional $2.00. Patron tickets are an additional $5.00. All tickets are non-refundable. The Oak Brook Polo Grounds are located on 31st Street, just West of York Road. For more information, event schedules, competition registration forms or to purchase tickets, visit the Illinois Saint Andrew Society website at www.chicago-scots.org or call (708) 447-5092. Illinois Saint Andrew Society would like to thank the following corporate sponsors: American Airlines, Glenlivet Whisky and the Illinois Arts Council. # # # The Illinois Saint Andrew Society nourishes Scottish identity through service, fellowship and celebration of Scottish culture. Established in 1845, the Illinois Saint Andrew Society is the oldest 501c3 charity in Illinois. Today the Society has grown into the largest Scottish cultural organization in North America. As well as organizing and funding initiatives to preserve Scottish traditions and promote Scottish culture, the Society offers a wide range of elder care services at our Scottish Home. The Illinois Saint Andrew Society welcomes everyone who is Scottish by birth, by heritage or simply by inclination. BACKGROUND: Established in 1845, the Illinois Saint Andrew Society (ISAS) is the oldest charity in the State of Illinois. This year the Society celebrates its’ 160th Anniversary. The mission of the ISAS is to nourish the Scottish identity in Illinois by serving the community of Scots, our families and our friends, and by celebrating both traditional and contemporary Scottish culture. The goals of the ISAS are to: serve our Scottish community, preserve our Scottish heritage and advance our Scottish culture. ISAS is one of the largest Scottish cultural organizations in the world. The Society is a vital force in sustaining Scottish heritage through initiatives to support music, art, literature, dance, history, genealogy, cultural /academic/ business/law/medical exchanges, sport, food and drink. The Society hosts several annual events including the Robert Burns Supper in January, the summer Highland Games & Scottish Festival which welcomes over 12,000 people, the Kilted Classic Golf Tournament in September, the fall Scottish American Leadership Conference, Casino Night in October and the Anniversary Dinner Benefit (The Feast of the Haggis) in November. ISAS has a distinguished history of providing impeccable community services. Since 1910 ISAS has supported the Scottish Home – a retirement community located in a beautiful forest preserve in North Riverside. www.chicago-scots.org As well as offering scholarships and financial support for the preservation and promotion of Scottish Arts, our Society owns and operates The Scottish Home, a retirement community in North Riverside. The Illinois Saint Andrew Society is a 160-year-old Scottish cultural organization, the oldest non-profit organization in the state of Illinois. The 5-acre "complex" in North Riverside not only houses the Illinois Saint Andrew Society, but also the Scottish Home, a nursing home facility with approximately 85 residents that is supported entirely by the Society. A Highland Dance school with over 100 children from the surrounding suburbs also utilizes space at the Home, as well as a library and the Genealogy Club.
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