Best Roadhouse This Side of Austin - Irish American News

32 IRISH AMERICAN NEWS June 2008Scottish Festival and Highland Games June 20-21Promoting Chicago's Scottish Tradition, Revelry and Culture ina Weekend Celebration for the Entire Family!Be Scottish for a day this summeras the Illinois Saint Andrew Society(ISAS) presents the 22nd AnnualScottish Festival & Highland Games,June 20-21, 2008 at the Oak BrookPolo Grounds in Oak Brook, Illinois.ISAS, Illinois’ oldest charity,is proud to once again present theirannual summer celebration witha dazzling array of events for thewhole family, including: a ChampionSupreme Pipe Band competition;Highland Dance competition; HeavyAthletics U.S. Championship; Youth5 v 5 Soccer Tournament; BritishCar Show; cultural exhibits; Scotchwhisky tastings and seminars; liveCeltic musical performances (bothtraditional and Celtic rock); Paradeof Tartans; Kilted Mile Run/Walk; Raffle; Children’s crafts andactivities; and a variety of attendeecontests such as the Shortbread,Knobbly Knees, Haggis Hurling andHaggis Eating. Attendees can alsoenjoy traditional Scottish cuisineand drink, including a Tea Tent andthe Celtic Marketplace, where avariety of unique Scottish and Celticmerchandise will be available forpurchase.The festival kicks off Friday,June 20 with exhibits and vendorsopen from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm. Fridayhighlights include: HighlandDance competition, Heavy AthleticsFriday Night Fling, crowningof the 2008 Heather Queen andCourt, new Whisky Live TastingTent featuring multiple whiskyvendors and Whisky Live SeminarTent featuring general and masterwhisky classes. From 6:00-10:00pm on the Celtic rock stage, therewill be a Ceilidh (pronouncedKay-Lee), a lively celebrationof traditional and contemporaryCeltic music, with musical artistsReilly, Searson and Tartanic.The festival continues Saturday,June 21 from 8:00 am - 10:00 pmand features: Piping and Drummingcompetitions, Heavy AthleticsU.S. Open Championship,Highland Dance competition, Falconry,Genealogy seminars, and avariety of interactive children’s activitiesincluding mini golf, craftsand carnival attractions. Eventattendee competitions include:British Car Show (pre-registration),a Haggis Hurling Contest forwomen only; a Knobbly KneesKilt Contest for men only, HaggisEating Contest and a ShortbreadContest. Celtic musical acts (Reilly,Searson and Tartanic) perform onthe Celtic Rock Stage throughoutthe day and into the evening Ceilidh.New attractions on Saturdaythis year include an early morningKilted Mile Run/Walk, Soccer 5v 5 Youth Tournament (team preregistration)and Dogs of Scotlandseminars showcasing a variety ofScottish dog breeds.The Oak Brook Polo Grounds arelocated on 31st Street, just West ofYork Road. For more information,event schedules, competition registrationforms or to purchase tickets,visit the Illinois Saint Andrew Societywebsiteat www.chicago-scots.org or call (708) 447-5092.