Old Westbury, NY - August 25, 2017 - Old Westbury Gardens announced today that it will be welcoming back the 57th Annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games on August 26, 2017, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., hosted by the Long Island Scottish Clan MacDuff. The Scottish Festival will feature a variety of Scottish activities, food vendors, competitions and artistic performances. This event is part of Old Westbury Gardens’ ongoing mission to preserve community heritage and traditions though fun and innovative events, exhibits, and educational programs.
“We’re excited to announce the Scottish Festival and Highland games, the biggest Celtic Festival in the tri-state area, is coming back to Old Westbury Gardens,” said CEO of Old Westbury Gardens Nancy Costopulos. “Many Long Islanders have Scottish family roots, and by hosting the Scottish Festival we are helping preserve that cultural knowledge and tradition for the next generation.”
During this event, thousands of guests will taste Scottish delicacies, learn how to dance highland-style, and watch kilted highlanders play the traditional Scottish bagpipes. After bagpipers open the games, guests will also be able to watch and compete in a variety of Scotland-themed events, including a falconry and birds of prey showcase, a petting zoo, pony rides, and an antique British auto show.
“Old Westbury Gardens has close ties to the United Kingdom—not only is Westbury House the former home of John S. Phipps, a third-generation immigrant from England, it was also designed by English designer George A. Crawley,” said CEO of Old Westbury Gardens Nancy Costopulos. “Guests will be able to experience traditional food and fashions that haven’t changed since the Phipps were in residence in the early 1900’s.”
Admission for the Special Games is as follows: $20.00 adults; $18.00 over 62; $8.00 children (ages 7-17); $10.00 members; children ages 6 and under free. This year, offsite parking will be at The Wheatley School, at 11 Bacon Road, Old Westbury N.Y. 11568. Shuttle buses to Old Westbury Gardens will be provided from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
About Old Westbury Gardens
Old Westbury Gardens, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the former home of John S. Phipps; his wife, Margarita Grace Phipps; and their four children. Completed in 1906 by the English designer George A. Crawley, the magnificent Charles II-style mansion is nestled amid 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes. Westbury House is furnished with fine English antiques and decorative arts from the more than 50 years of the family's residence.
Old Westbury Gardens welcomes visitors of all ages for guided tours of Westbury House and Gardens, in-depth tours of the formal gardens, school visits, children's programs and events, family programs, museum exhibits, classic car shows, indoor and outdoor classical concerts, summer concerts, slide lectures, book signings, horticultural demonstrations and workshops, Scottish Games, botanical arts and gardening classes, and educator-led talks and tours of topics relating to horticulture, art, history, design and architecture.
Old Westbury Gardens seeks to inspire appreciation and knowledge of the best qualities exemplified in the American country estate of the early 20th century through faithful preservation of its landscape and gardens, architecture and collections.
About Long Island Scottish Clan McDuff
The Long Island Scottish Clan McDuff doing business as “Long Island Scottish Festival and Games Corporation” (LISFGC) is a corporation organized for educational and charitable purposes. The purpose of the LISFGC is to organize, promote and present events to educate the general public about Scottish music, literature, art, religion, traditions, customs, heritage and culture and to preserve and foster the same.