80th Scottish Fest in the works

FERGUS – Plans are already underway for the milestone 80th edition of the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games.

“Stay tuned for exciting announcements coming for the 80th anniversary next year,” festival executive director Elizabeth Bender stated in a news release following the 79th event.

This year’s festival, which ran from Aug. 9 to 11, hosted 50 Scottish clans, more than 300 athletes and 150 vendors. It attracted what organizers called “great attendance” of 23,000 visitors over the weekend.

“We’re thrilled with the entire weekend, including attendance, given the very Scottish weather,” Bender stated, referring to rain that hit the festival on Sunday. “Although it had a minor impact, it did not deter guests from joining the festivities.”

Next year’s festival will take place Aug. 8 to 10, and the team is already “deep into planning” for the “magical experience celebrating 80 years of heritage, music, athletics, education and all things Scottish,” the release said.

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