There are a number of festivals and events across the USA that celebrate the heritage of over 25 million Scottish Americans, who claim ancestry originating in Scotland, and more than 40 million Irish Americans whose ancestry originates in Ireland.
From the largest Scottish festival in the west in Colorado, to the month-long Irish Heritage event in Newport, Rhode Island, these cultural celebrations showcase the best of both Scotland and Ireland.
COLORADO
Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival and Parade
September
Estes Park, Colorado
The largest Scottish festival in the west, the Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival in the forest-surrounded town of Estes Park, is a celebration of Scottish heritage and traditions.
Always held on the weekend after Labor Day, highlights of the festival include a tattoo, parade, concerts, competitions and folk dancing, pipe bands, and the Honored Guest Banquet, a superb meal complete with dress kilts, suits, evening dress attire for the ladies
For more information visit: http://scotfest.com
KANSAS
McPherson Scottish Festival
September
McPherson, Kansas
The McPherson Scottish Festival is a weekend of traditional Scottish activities, including music, dance, athletic competitions, bagpipers and more! A clan fire ceremony and a Scottish music concert kickoff the celebrations.
Throughout the weekend, guests can watch Scottish and Irish dancers and clogging or listen as musicians entertain the crowd. Visitors can shop for reproduction swords, handmade walking sticks, imported tartans and Celtic jewelry, and enjoy delicious food including savory Scottish meat pies, turkey legs and buttery bits of Scottish shortbread.
This two-day festival culminates in a Saturday evening concert or a Scottish country dance gala.
For more information visit: www.macfestival.org
MICHIGAN
Highland Festival
May
Alma, Michigan
A tradition for over 40 years, The Highland Festival on the campus of Alma College showcases the very best of Scottish tradition.
The festival includes piping, drumming and band competitions along with traditional Scottish dancing and fiddling, a border collie competition, Grand Parade and vendors selling kilts, bagpipes, meat pies and shortbread. The clan tents demonstrate still more about Scottish tradition.
For more information visit: www.almahighlandfestival.com
NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire Highland Games
September
Lincoln, New Hampshire
The New Hampshire Highland Games, the largest Scottish cultural festival in the Northeast, is presented by The New Hampshire Gathering of the Scottish Clans, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the furtherance of the music, dance, athletics and customs of the Scottish people and to the continuance of the Gaelic culture.
Known for its diverse program, highlights include the Gathering of the Scottish Clans, with over 60 clans and societies, Massed Bands, Sheepdog Trials, Celtic World Music Concerts, the New England Regional Scottish Fiddle Championship, Heavyweight Scottish Athletics, National Highland Dance Competition, Solo Piping & Drumming, Scottish Harp (Clarsach) & other instrument competitions.
For more information visit: www.nhscot.org
NORTH CAROLINA
Grandfather Mountain Scottish Highland Games
July
Linville, North Carolina
A tradition for over 53 years, the Grandfather Mountain Scottish Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans, held at the spectacular highland setting at MacRae Meadows on Grandfather Mountain near Linville, presents a colorful celebration of Scottish culture.
Considered one of the best highland games in America, and with the goal to to foster and restore interest in traditional dancing, piping, drumming, athletic achievement, music and Gaelic culture, the festivities attract brawny athletes, delicate dancers, noisy bagpipe band parades, rocking Celtic music and visitors from across the country.
For more information visit: www.gmhg.org/
OREGON
Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games
August
Madras, Oregon
A celebration of the culture of all Celtic groups, the Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games held at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds feature the traditional games, Celtic dancers, children's activities, fine Celtic wares, arts and crafts, clan representation, the Southern Oregon Scottish Bagpipe Band, lots of food, fun, and the area’s own High Desert Celtic Country Dancers.
For more information visit: www.hdcs.net
RHODE ISLAND
Newport Irish Heritage Month
March
Newport, Rhode Island
This exciting month-long event celebrates the Irish heritage of the area, with Celtic storytelling, Irish step-dancing, interesting lectures, afternoon teas, an Irish coffee contest, Jameson Irish whiskey tastings and a festive St. Patrick's Day parade.
For more information visit: www.gonewport.com
WISCONSIN
Irish Fest
August
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Celebrate the legend, as the largest Irish music and cultural gathering in the world celebrates with an eclectic concert of more than 100 entertainers on sixteen stages scattered along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Musicians ranging from tenors and fiddlers to rockers and rhymers, as well as dancers, athletes, artisans, poets and thespians, offer live shows and hands-on instruction. Delight children of all ages with parades, freckle contests, Celtic Canines, storytellers, crafts and genealogy tools. Shop two different marketplaces for jewelry, baskets, knits, art and other treasures.
For more information visit: www.irishfest.com
