Imagine. A first-ever Dundee Scottish Festival Saturday, Sept. 18 featuring one of the biggest bands in the Celtic world — North Sea Gas.
The parade begins at 10 am at Dundee Central School and travels to the Black Rock Speedway just off Route 14A south of the village where the festival is staged thru 7 pm.
The festival has a definite purpose and goal according to Chairperson Fran Willis.
“We wanted an event that would attract local and tourists alike to our community and gather residents together to enhance pride in our community,” said Willis, adding, “We also want to educate our youth in the Scottish culture and emphasize the connection with our sister city, Dundee, Scotland.”
The avenue of craft and food booths will mostly be based on Scottish culture.
Clan booths will educate the public about their genealogy and there will be the Kirtin’ of the Tartans traditional Scottish ceremony.
The Highland games will challenge the strength of men and women alike and will include the Bremar and Open Stone pass, Heavy and Light weight toss, Caber toss, Sheaf toss and Weight over Bar toss.
One of the big highlights of the day will feature North Sea Gas Band with a blend of Scottish and Irish music.
This internationally-known group from Scotland has appealed to audiences all over Great Brittan, Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, Canada and the US having appeared on Saturday Night Live a few years ago.
North Sea Gas has performed for nearly 30 years and has attracted large crowds to the Edinburgh Music Festival and won many Gold & Silver Disc awards for many of their 13 albums which offer traditional, contemporary and self-penned material.
“We are also very excited about the Washington, DC Pipe Band which is #1 in the country,” said Willis, adding, “No Scottish festival would be complete without lots of bagpipes and we will have many,”
There will be Scottish Highland and Country dance demonstrations, a Scottish equestrian team and cattle, Shetland ponies, sheepherding and dog trials of agility as well as dog dancing.
A wine tent will feature local wineries and breweries. Kids will enjoy Scottish games in miniature, free dancing, pipe and drum lessons.
For more information, a booth space or to submitt a parade float, call Willis at 315-729-2124 or check out DundeeScottishFestival.com.
