Get your kilt on this weekend at the Scottish Festival, Highland games

Whether you are a wee bit Scottish or just want to share some culture with the family, this weekend's 25th Annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games is for you.  The festival will be held on Friday, June 17 from 4 pm till 10 pm and Saturday, June 18 from 8 am till 9 pm.

The 25th annual Chicago Scots festival has moved to a new location this year. This year's location is Hamilton Lakes in Itasca, Illinois.

This weekend's festival is a celebration of summer as well as Scottish culture. From Scottish traditions to culture for the whole family, this event is the largest (and best) Scottish festival in the Midwest. Activities during the weekend include Highland Dance competition, Heavy Athletics Friday Night Fling, Champion Supreme Piping and Drumming competition, Caber Toss, 2-pound Hammer Throw, the Sheaf Toss (flipping a bale of hay over a high bar) and the Clachnert (throwing a 16-pound river stone); Highland Dance competition; Rugby Sevens Highland Challenge; and many more.

Saturday's closing ceremonies and  Massed Bands Show will feature  1,000 bagpipers and drummers. All participants will perform traditional Scottish music as well as Amazing Grace. I have seen the closing ceremonies in previous years and it is a breathtaking moment.

Admission to the 25th Annual Scottish Festival is as follows:

• Friday-Children 12 and under are FREE; Adults $9.00
• Saturday- Children ages 3-12 $3.00; Adults $14.00 

Hamilton Lakes, Itasca, Illinois is located at I-290 and Thorndale Avenue.