HAMMOND – The Hammond Historical Museum will host its 4th annual Scottish Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 9 on the museum grounds. Since the 2018 festival was such a success for the celebration of the bicentenary of the first Scottish settlers in Hammond, it was decided to make the festival an enjoyable annual fundraising event. Admission is $5/person and $20 for a family of four or more.
The festival’s lineup of activities and entertainment for the day includes a Kilt Walk/Run and a ‘Battle of the Ages’ Highland Games competition. Celtic bands, Scottish dancers, clan representatives, unique craft vendors, food vendors, weaving and blacksmithing demonstrations, Scottish photo booth, Scottish baking competition, obstacle course children’s playground and a small petting zoo are provided for visitors of all ages.
The non-competitive 5K Kilt Run/Walk will begin before the festival with a 7:45 am check-in at the museum. All pre-registrants ($30, ages 13+ and $10, ages 7-12) by June 30 will receive a free t-shirt and free entry to the festival. There will be a grand prize draw ($100 cash courtesy of Yesteryear’s Vintage Doors) for the first 100 registrants in the adult division and a draw for a package of pizza (from Ogdensburg Pizza Hut) for the youth division. Kilts are compulsory and details on how to get an affordable kilt and entry forms can be found on the website, www.hammondmuseum.com/scottish-festival.html. Pepsi Cola Ogdensburg Bottlers will provide the finish line and free drinks.
Daven Brigham, a Highland Games champion from Carthage, organized “Battle of the Ages”, since a Canadian team could not be established for the original “Battle on the Border” plan. The competition will be between athletes under 40 and those over 40 and will take place throughout the day. Ten renowned male and female athletes from the United States will compete. The caber toss and Scottish hammers are just two of the competition’s five events. Some of the sponsors are: Price Chopper Supermarket, Impact Nutrition and Dark Island Spirits.
Throughout the day, a variety of Celtic talent will fill the entertainment tent. The featured Celtic group is Kilrush, based in New York’s Southern Tier area. Champion violinist Don Woodcock will perform with Dr. George Dodds on vocals and guitar. HUGs (Hammond Ukulele Group) will have fun with Celtic tunes and stories. Sharing his beautiful soft voice and guitar skills, Rene Corbin will add more Celtic tunes. The Reel Ottawa Dance Company will perform Highland and Highland dances. Between performances there may be a few poems and stories from local Scottish settlers, as well as a roll call from the clans.
The Scottish Festival Committee is pleased to announce seven prizes for this year’s raffle. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased on the website, www.HammondMuseum.com, at the museum or with the members of the festival committee. 1st Prize: An overnight stay for two in the Royal Suite at Singer Castle on Dark Island – $850 value (courtesy Dark Island Tours Inc. and boat transportation provided by Schermerhorn Harbor LLC). 2nd prize: $500 in cash (donated by a friend of the festival). 4th Prize: Kayak (courtesy of LP Thompson Insurance). 5th prize: two round-trip tickets to Boston or Baltimore (via Massena airport and courtesy of Boutique Air). 6th Prize: One night and dinner for two at the Brae Loch Inn (courtesy of Jim & Val Barr, the Brae Loch Inn, Cazenovia). 7th Prize: Propane Fire Pit ($450 value, courtesy of Lowe’s of Ogdensburg).
Please note that due to events that occurred last year, only registered service animals can be admitted to the festival. There will be folding chairs and bleachers to sit on, but visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. For more information, visit www.HammondMuseum.com or call Donna at 315-528-4742.
