Let the Games Begin… St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit Celebrates 160 Years of Passion and Pride in Metro Detroit at its Annual Highland Games
SOUTHFIELD, Mich., July 13, /PRNewswire/ — The St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit is celebrating the 160th anniversary of its annual Highland Games, the longest continuous running Scottish festival of its kind in North America, at Historic Greenmead Park in Livonia, MI. The three-day event, which starts Thursday, July 30, draws an estimated 10,000 people. The Games are visited by people of all heritages throughout the U.S. and Canada. St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization that produces the Highland Games.
“There’s a wee bit of something for everyone. The games are a family-oriented event bringing all things Scottish to Metro Detroit,” says Scott David, of Plymouth, president of St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit. Children 12 and under are admitted free. “It’s a great stay-cation,” David continued.
To celebrate its 160th anniversary, St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit will kick off the games with Movie Night in the Park on Thursday, July 30 from dusk to 11 pm with a special outdoor viewing of “The Waterhorse: Legend of the Deep.” The Ceilidh (pronounced Kay-Lee) will be on Friday, July 31, from 5 to 11 pm and the 160th Annual Highland Games on Saturday, August 1 from 9 to 8:30 pm. All events are held at Historic Greenmead Park in Livonia near the intersection of Newburgh and Eight Mile roads.
This year’s Games will feature a delightful combination of Scottish history, pageantry, athleticism and good old-fashioned Celtic fun. Some of the many scheduled activities include:
- Heavy athletics professional invitational
- Solo bagpipe and bagpipe band competitions
- Drum major and drumming competition
- Highland dance competition
- Tug O’War competition featuring reigning champions Livonia Fire Department
- Wee Bairns Games for children ages 4-11
- Two entertainment tents
- Genealogy and clan tents
- A display of animals native to Scotland
Movie Night in the Park is a free admission event with a $5 parking fee. Ceilidh tickets must be purchased in advance and are $15, with free admission for children 5 and under. Tickets for the Highland Games are $15, or $10 in advance, with free admission to children 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased through the St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit website www.highlandgames.com or through the Historic Greenmead Park office.
For more information on the St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit 160th Annual Highland Games, please visit www.highlandgames.com.
SOURCE St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit