Okay, Estes Park isn't Boulder County, but it's a nice drive and this is the only event like it in the area.
Here's what you need to know about the festival:
WHAT:
Get your tickets today and join more than 80,000 attendees for the 36th annual Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park, Colorado.
The festival began in 1976 and will kick-off on Thursday, September 6th with Tattoo Estes, a one-of-a-kind parade ground concert that features military and pipe bands. This year’s program will commemorate those who served in the First World War and events that occurred between 1910-1920. During that same time, right here in our community, Estes Park was incorporated, Rocky Mountain National Park was dedicated and The Stanley Hotel and Fall River Road were constructed.
The festival has become one of the largest of its kind with more than 50 Celtic events held throughout the weekend, including Jousting competitions, Highland games, musical acts, dance performances and dog show contests as well as plenty of Scottish and Irish food, drink and crafts. Unique to the festival is North America’s largest Celtic parade attracting 40,000 spectators.
World-class Jousters headline the festivities as they vie for the sport’s largest purse in skill and accuracy events as well as the all-new heavy armor competition. Not to be outdone, the Highland games showcase equally talented athletes displaying amazing strength and agility in the caber toss, hammer and stone throw. The festival also features a Scottish Challenge strong man competition.
Each day of the festival, Estes Park’s breathtaking mountains play backdrop to more than 1,000 Scottish, Irish and Welsh dancers while Celtic rock, folk and traditional bands liven up the clear nights. Those seeking a true glimpse into Celtic culture can top it all off by sampling traditional food and drink and browsing the wares of more than 100 importers and crafters of Celtic goods.
WHEN:
• The festival will kick off Thursday, September 6th with Tattoo Estes at 7:30 p.m.
(Tattoo Estes will be held Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m.)
• Friday, September 7th through Sunday, September 9th – fairgrounds open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, with musical acts nightly.
• Friday, September 7th and Saturday, September 8th – concerts start at 7:30 p.m.
• Festival Parade: Saturday, September 8th at 9:30 a.m.
WHERE:
Stanley Park Fairgrounds
1209 Manford Ave.
Estes Park, CO, 80517
HOW:
Order tickets today. Call 1-800-90-ESTES, visit www.scotfest.com or get tickets through Ticketwest at any King Soopers location.
Children four and under are admitted free.
