Whether you're part Scottish or not, it's time to enjoy the 27th annual Hawaiian Scottish Festival and Highland Games. The event gets underway Saturday and Sunday. Ramsay Wharton is at Kapiolani Park this morning to check it all out.

This year's festival features numerous activities for the whole family. Scottish enthusiasts and competitors in Highland Dance and Games have come to Hawaii to compete and enjoy the festivities. Men and Women will compete for prizes in the Highland Games & Athletics. Events include: throwing the hammer, tossing the caber, putting the stone, throwing the weight, throwing the weight over the bar.

Dancers from The Margaret Rose School of Dance, have traveled from Helensborough, Scotland to participate with dozens in this year's first ever Highland Dance Competition.

Entertainment including piping, music, song and dance. A schedule of entertainers is found below. The lively celtic musicians of Switchback, have flown in from Chicago to add to the festival this year.

A gathering of Clans from around Hawaii and mainland will help you learn more about your Scottish heritage. They'll display information pertinent to themselves, and invite other members of the clan to join them.

There will also be Scottish demonstrations of swordplay, weaving, and fencing.
Vendors, featuring Highland wear, Celtic clothing, jewelry, musical instruments, houseware, etc. will be available. Hamish Burgess, owner of Maui Celtic, says they are Hawaii's only authentic Celtic vendor selling kilts and scarves and other items made with the Hawaiian Tartan at the festival. Burgess is trying to get lawmakers in the state legislature to recognize the unique tartan as Hawaii's official tartan. The tartan is already registered with the Scottish Tartan Authority. Sunday is also National Tartan Day.

And when it comes to food. Vendors will be serving up delights and yes, offering traditional Scottish far, including haggis. Chef Jay Matsukawa of the Willows Restaurant is bringing out the Shepard Pie, a delicious Americanized Haggis, and bangers. A tea tent will also be available serving up Scones as well.

2008 Scottish Entertainment Schedule ("Subject to Change")
Main Stage - Saturday April 5, 2008
9:00am - 9:45am Jig This
9:45am - 10:00am Jacob Kaio
10:00am - 10:45am Marine Forces Pacific Band
10:45am - 11:00am Musketeer Fencers
11:00am - 11:45am Tam O'Shanter
11:45am - 12:00pm Lisa Gomes
12:00pm - 12:30pm Parade and Opening Ceremony
12:30pm - 1:00pm Celtic Pipes and Drums
1:00pm - 1:45pm Lobo Del Mar
1:45pm - 2:15pm Celtic Keiki
2:15pm - 3:15pm The Muses
3:15pm - 3:45pm Navy Pacific Fleet Band
3:45pm - 4:45pm Switchback
4:45pm - 5:15pm Judith Weikle
5:15pm - 6:00pm Doolin' Rakes

Auxiliary Stage - Saturday April 5, 2008
9:30am - 10:15am Muses
10:15am - 10:45am Lobo Del Mar
10:45am - 11:15am Jig This
11:15am - 12:00pm Switchback
12:00pm - 1:00pm Closed
1:00pm - 1:45pm Tam O' Shanter
1:45pm - 2:15pm James McCarthy
2:15pm - 3:00pm Judith Weikle
3:00pm - 3:30pm Lisa Gomes
3:30pm - 4:00pm Highland Dance
4:00pm - 4:45pm Celtic Keiki
4:45pm - 5:15pm Bagpiper

Main Stage - Sunday April 6, 2008
9:00am - 9:30am Celtic Mass
9:30am - 10:00am Kirkin' o’ the Tartan
10:00am - 10:30am Judith Weikle
10:30am - 11:15am Whiskey Starship
11:15am - 12:00pm Tam O' Shanter
12:00pm - 12:30pm Parade and Opening Ceremony
12:30pm - 1:00pm Celtic Pipes and Drums
1:00pm - 1:45pm Saloon Pilots
1:45pm - 2:00pm Musketeer Fencers
2:00pm - 2:45pm Royal Hawaiian Band
2:45pm - 3:00pm SCA
3:00pm - 3:45pm Celtic Waves
3:45pm - 4:30pm The Muses
4:30pm - 5:15pm Switchback
5:15pm - 6:00pm Jig This
6:00pm Jacob Kaio

Auxiliary Stage - Sunday April 6, 2008
9:00am - 10:00am closed
10:00am - 11:00am Lisa Gomes
11:00am - 12:00pm Highland Dance
12:00pm - 1:00pm Closed
1:00pm - 1:45pm The Muses
1:45pm - 2:00pm Lisa Gomes
2:00pm - 2:45pm Closed
2:45pm - 3:30pm Switchback
3:30pm - 4:00pm Jig This
4:00pm - 4:45 pm Judith Weikle
4:45pm - 5:00pm Jacob Kaio

Related Links:

www.mauiceltic.com - Maui Celtic

www.waygoodmusic.com - Switchback

www.willowshawaii.com - Willows Restaurant

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