One of Central Florida’s outdoor green spaces will be immersed in the sights, sounds and flavors of Scotland this weekend for an annual cultural event.
The 47th Annual Central Florida Scottish Highland Games will be held this weekend at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs, featuring pipers, dancing, animals, craft sales, ax throwing, archery, medieval camping, children’s activities, There will be food, drinks, Highland Athletics and more.
Ennis Pruitt, who oversees the festival’s entertainment, said that although the festival offers a wide range of content, there is no one main attraction, and everyone can find something different to enjoy. spoke.
“The festival is many things to many people,” he said. “It’s fun to see other people’s cultures.”
On both festival days, countless events take place simultaneously from morning until late afternoon or evening. At noon, guests can watch a welcome ceremony with a pipe and drum band and a tartan parade. Throughout the day, visitors can roam between stages to live Celtic rock bands, witness dance competitions, watch border collie demonstrations, and learn about Scottish heritage as they explore the clans.
Highland Athletic events include stone toss, hammer toss, caber toss, thief toss, weight over bars and more.
Young visitors can experience these traditional observances in the Kids Games Zone, designed for children ages 1 to 12. Enjoy arts and crafts, cabaret toss, haggis toss, bundle toss, tug of war and more in a non-competitive environment.
One particularly unique event is Boulder Boogie, where competitors carry stones weighing hundreds of pounds as far as possible.
Festival goers will have plenty to eat and drink, including turkey legs, fish and chips, haggis, scotch eggs, shortbread and traditional fair food. Alcoholic beverages are available to anyone over the age of 21.
Pruitt said volunteers spend countless hours making this event the kind of event people want to go to after experiencing other high country festivals and learning what works best. That’s what it means.
“We have a group here that wants to make the game so great that they’re a part of it,” he said.
Sunday’s inclement weather may deter some visitors from coming this weekend, but Pruitt said that means fewer people and fewer lines of people to come. If anything, the weather can add to the atmosphere and authenticity of the festival.
“It might rain this weekend,” he said. “It always rains in Scotland.”
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If you go
The 47th Annual Central Florida Scottish Highland Games will be held at 1000 Central Winds Drive in Winter Springs on January 18th from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and January 19 from 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ru. Advance online tickets cost $25 per adult on Saturday and $20 per adult on Sunday (before fees). There is an additional $5 fee at the gate. There are common tickets available for both days. Discounts available to active military, students with ID, and children ages 6-11 (free admission for children under 6). Parking is available on-site or off-site at 2 satellite parking lots with free shuttles. Pets are not allowed and must be trained and leashed service dogs. For more information, please visit flscot.com.
First published: January 17, 2025 at 9:26am EST
