Scotland returns to the Desert Southwest this weekend, March 3-5, with the 58th Annual Phoenix Scottish Games in Gilbert.
You don’t need to be Scottish to enjoy the games featuring full highland pageantry with pipes and drums, Highland dancers, athletics, Celtic bands and gathering of the clans.
As you move from area to area within the festival, you’ll be treated to a variety of live entertainment, interactive displays and athletic events. The event hosts championships for Highland Dance and Pipe Band. In addition to those competitions, you won’t want to miss numerous performers of traditional folk, bluegrass and rock music with their sound rooted in Scotland. Watch in awe as highland athletes make it look easy to throw a log bigger than a telephone pole or toss a hammer farther than you can throw a ball. Events include the Caber Toss, Sheaf Toss, Hammer Throw and “Putting the Stone” with male and female competitors of all ages from across North America.
Returning this year is the twilight tattoo on Friday, March 3. Those in attendance can enjoy an amphitheater concert showcasing the sights and sounds of Scotland underneath the Arizona desert sky. Performers will include Celtic music, a military band, Scottish dancers, traditional pageantry and of course pipes and drums.
All ages will have fun in the Celtic Village, featuring a variety of Celtic merchants with clothing, music instruments, jewelry, baked goods and other traditional culinary delights that you won’t find at any other festival - traditional shortbread cookies, highland beef dishes and more. There will be Scotch whisky tasting where you can enjoy a dram and hear about the whisky making process of each expression. Car lovers don’t forget to vote for your favorite vintage vehicle at the British Car Display and show.
If you are curious about your heritage, join us in the Clan and Genealogy area. Arizona has over 175,000 Scots. You could be one of them! There are deep ties between Arizona and Scotland as Douglas was named for a Canadian-Scotsman and the Rose Tree Museum in Tombstone features a rose tree grown from a cutting shipped to a young Scottish bride from her family in Scotland in 1885.
But even if you don’t have any ties to Scotland, you will enjoy yourself at 58th Annual Phoenix Scottish Games. As long as you relish good music, food and fun, you’ll have a great time.
The Phoenix Scottish Games are produced by the Caledonian Society of Arizona, the largest Celtic organization in the state, promoting Scottish culture through art, education and athletics. Funds raised at the event supports scholarships to aspiring and professional Highland athletes, musicians and dancers and/or other individuals or organizations whose mission, project or program promotes Scottish heritage.
This event kicks off tonight from 5 to 9 p.m. at Gilbert Regional Park, 3005 E. Queen Creek Road, and will be going from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday March 4 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday March 5.
For more information and tickets, visit phoenixscottishgames.com. Parking is free.
