Edinboro Highland Games Celebrate 25th Anniversary

Thursday, Sept. 6 - 9

Edinboro University's annual celebration of Scottish heritage returns from Thursday, Sept. 6 through Sunday, Sept. 9.

Bringing the Edinburgh to Edinboro, The 25th Annual Highland Games & Scottish Festival delivers a small piece of Scotland to Northwestern Pa., complete with bagpipe competitions, traditional heavy athletic events (like the "caber toss") and an array of Scottish foods.

The festival kicks off Thursday with High Tea at the Scotland Yards Greenhouse and continues into the evening with Music and Ale at the Sprague Farm & Brew Works. Friday features a single malt whisky tasting and bonfire at the Edinboro University campus and harp music at Erie and Edinboro Presbyterian Churches.

"The festival is full of fascinating events," said co-director Melissa Gibson. "From the 'high tea' to the bonfire and beyond, we celebrate the Scottish spirit of independence and thoughtfulness."

Most of the festival events are scheduled Saturday at the university, both in and around McComb Fieldhouse and the Frank G. Pogue Student Center. Highlights include the national fiddle and harp championships, heavy athletic events, highland dance competitions and archery tag.

Festival co-director and founder Tim Thompson recommends attending from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the very least.

"Get here by noon to see the opening ceremony — it's pretty spectacular," he said.

Those who stay into the evening may also want to attend the Ceilidh at 6 p.m. in Van Houten Dining Hall and the planetarium show, called Celtic Nights, at either 5 or 7 p.m. in Cooper Hall. The planetarium show will feature views of the night sky as can be seen in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The festival wraps up Sunday with a concert from the Chelsea House Orchestra at Edinboro United Methodist Church. — Tracy Geibel

4:30 p.m. Thursday, 2:30 p.m. Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 10:45 a.m. Sunday // Edinboro University, 219 Meadville St, Edinboro, PA 16444 & other venues // Free (donations welcome), $35 single malt tasting, $40 ceilidh // edinboro.edu/events/highland-games