A couple of years ago, after getting back his 23andMe ancestry results and finding out he was 12% Irish, Scottish, Welsh, my husband decided we needed to go to the Central Florida Scottish Highland Games so he could discover his roots. I remember pointing out the fact that he was 80% Spanish and how I didn’t think we would find many “Fuentes” clans there; not to mention, it was in Winter Springs, and it was supposed to be cold that weekend and pretty much any other excuse I could think of. He then donned a costume kilt I bought him as a joke for St. Patrick’s Day and started dancing a jig while singing, “Come on Sharon, it will be fun. They will have scones and beer and whisky samples!” He had me at scones!
The Scottish Games is an annual event happening every third weekend in January. The festival is sponsored by The Scottish-American Society of Central Florida and is filled with traditional highland athletics competitions, dance, art, music, culture, food, and, as their website says, “a Gaelic spirit meant to awaken your soul!” I admit I was reluctant to originally go. But now, after going several times, I think the festival is “pure dead brilliant” – translation: really good.
What makes this event such a fun date? Hello, you get to watch strong, beefy guys (and women) lift heavy things while you sit back and cheer as you drink pitchers of beer. (An insider tip… if you have a pitcher from past years or buy one this year, you can bring it back and get discounted refills!) The bagpipes that usually greet you set the mood for the day. If you want an authentic experience, you can purchase haggis and chips or shepherd’s pie from food vendors known for their traditional Scottish and English food. Don’t worry, for those less adventurous, they always have other things for sale, too. Just make sure to save room for the freshly popped kettle corn, homemade ice cream, and other baked sweets. And of course, there is no shortage of beer, wine and whiskey!
There are some interactive things to do, like trying your hand at archery and even an entire kids’ section if you decide to make this a family date! One year, we went with some friends, and we all brought our kids. They had so much fun tossing miniature cabers and using small pitchforks to do their own sheaf toss over their heads.
But to me, the most fun part is checking out the clan tents. While we never have seen one for FUENTES, we still enjoy browsing through and listening to all the stories. It feels like we are traveling back in time, or as if we are in Scotland for the day. Oh, and the shopping! I forgot to mention the vendor section filled with Celtic and Gaelic jewelry, trinkets and clothes. There are plenty of kilts to choose from, too. In fact, so many that Hubby says he will get one every year but never does because he gets so overwhelmed by all the choices.
If you decide to go, consider purchasing tickets online in advance; not only is it cheaper but you save the hassle of standing in the LONG lines the day of. Cost for adults on Saturday is $20 in advance, $25 at the gate. On Sunday, adults are $15 in advance, $20 at the gate. Children 6 to 12 years are $5. (Under 6 is free.) Student and active military discounts are available at the gate with valid ID.
Website: http://www.flascot.com
Dates: Jan. 18-19, 2020
Where: Central Winds Park, 1000 Central Winds Dr., Winter Springs, FL 32708
