More than 40 Scottish Clans will gather for spirited festivities, dancing and games and EVERYONE is invited!
Thanksgiving Point will host the 35th Annual Utah Scottish Association Highland Games and Scottish Festival June 12-13, 2009, in Electric Park. Guests will experience Scottish culture, tradition and demonstrations throughout festival activities including the international “Gathering of the Clans,” Highland athletics, music and food.
Unique additions to this year’s festival include the James J. Coynes Memorial Pipe Band, an award-winning bagpipe and drum band from California, and the Pipe Major Regional Competition, part of the Western U.S. Pipe Bands Association’s competition circuit. To commemorate Robert Burns’ 250th birthday, regarded as Scotland’s official poet and lyricist of the famous Auld Lang Syne, his poem Address to a Haggis will be recited with a free haggis tasting in the Barn.
Other activities include nightly concerts and a fireworks show Friday. Traditional Highland athletics, dancing, piping and drumming competitions will be featured throughout the festival hours, and “wee” versions of the Highland games will be held for children and youth to participate.
“We have reduced ticket prices this year and are offering discounted family packages and free admission to active duty military in uniform to make this year’s festival an affordable ‘stay-cation’,” said Robert Gallimore, Utah Scottish Association Festival organizer. “Families can learn and celebrate Scottish heritage right here in Utah and even register to win a free trip to Scotland.”
The 35th Annual Utah Scottish Festival and Highland Games hours are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 12 and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.ThanksgivingPoint.org or at the door. The cost for single admission Friday, is $7 for adults, $5 children; Saturday, $10 for adults, $7 for children aged 4-12; children aged 3 and younger are free. A family-pack admission good for two adults and up to four children is $29 on Friday and $41 on Saturday. For more information and complete schedule, visit http://www.UtahScots.org.
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Dancers featured on Good Things Utah
Kelsey Crane:
-18-Year-Old Premier Level Highland Dancer -Current United States Champion and four time winner of this title -Kelsey has won numerous championships and has qualified and placed in the Worlds in Scotland
Carolyn Webber:
-15-year-old premier level dancer
-Carolyn is an accomplished Highland Dancer having won awards at competitions all over the United States -Carolyn is also a champion Irish Step Dancer
Both of these dancers will be competing at the Thanksgiving Point competition this coming weekend.
The Piper Featured on Good Things Utah
The piper who accompanied the girls is Dennis McMaster, a long-time member of the Salt Lake Scots Pipe Band, a former Pipe Major and the musical leader of a pipe band that will play at the festival.
If you are interested in learning to Scottish dance, there are a six Scottish dance teachers in the Greater Salt Lake area:
Heather Donehoo
Taylorsville, Utah. 801-916-2242
Jina Barney
Alpine, Utah. 801-735-1764
Sharlene Morrill
Bountiful, Utah. 801-298-4107
Julie Earl
West Jordan, Utah 801-280-4652
Marcell Ross
West Jordan, Utah. 801-568-6730
Elizabeth Archibald
Payson, Utah. 801-423-2452
About Utah Scottish Association
The Utah Scottish Association is the premier cultural association in Utah by welding Scottish cultural traditions into a viable present and advancing a heritable future. The Utah Scottish Association’s mission is to celebrate and promote the customs, civilization, and achievement of Scottish heritage. Events throughout the year include the annual Highland Games and Scottish Festival, lectures, demonstrations, displays and other activities to help Scots, Scottish-Americans, Scotland lovers and their descendants learn more about, and participate in, their Celtic culture.
About Thanksgiving Point
Thanksgiving Point is the cultural gathering place for the community, promoting the renewal of mind and spirit in a beautiful and family-friendly setting. A nonprofit organization, Thanksgiving Point is dedicated to providing guests a one-of-a-kind, hands-on opportunity for discovery and an entertaining educational experience in a variety of arts and sciences. Though open to the public, Thanksgiving Point Memberships are available for families, couples and individuals. Thanksgiving Point is located at 3003 North Thanksgiving Way in Lehi, just west of Interstate 15 at the Alpine/Highland exit. For more information call (801) 768-2300 or visit www.thanksgivingpoint.org.
