City: Williamsburg, VA

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Description: This popular annual event allows festival-goers to watch or participate in Scottish games, Highland dancing, and athletic events, witness a parade of the clans and a war-cry rally, and, of course, listen to the bagpipes skirl. Individual drumming, piping, and band competitions also are held, but participants must preregister. The athletic events alone are worth the drive. When’s the last time you saw athletes “toss the caber”? That’s a log, a 120-pound log that measures 20 feet long. Children also get involved with their own mock athletic games, plus a few of the good old-fashioned races—a sack race and an egg-and-spoon dash. At past festivals, border collies have demonstrated their sheepherding skills, and Scottish crafts and imports—books, jewelry, weaving, woolens—have been on display. Performances by demonstration bands are among the highlights of the day’s events. Visitors can sample Scottish cuisine—everything from pasties and bridies, a meat-filled popover, to shortbread and Scottish candy—or fill up on barbecue and fish and chips. Scottish soft drinks and beer are sold. Ticket prices depend on how many days you plan to attend. Saturday only is $15 for adults, $5 for children ages 6 to 11, and free for those 5 and younger. Parking at the campground is $5. A full explanation of ticket pricing and a chance to earn a discount by buying tickets in advance can be found on the festival’s Web site, listed above.