The usually serene Old Westbury Gardens will take on a slightly more jovial atmosphere this weekend when it plays host to the 55th Annual Long Island Scottish Festival and Highland Games Saturday.
The festival is sponsored by the Long Island Scottish Clan MacDuff 81 LTD. and celebrates Scottish culture on Long Island, featuring traditional caber toss, tossing the sheaf and putting the stone competitions for adults and children.
Organizers will also hold an antique British car show and a shortbread baking contest.
“Each year we have over 7,000-plus people attend, mostly locals that want a full day of family activities at a low cost,” Clan MacDuff Chief Andy MacInnes said. “When people come for the first time they say ‘This is the best kept secret on Long Island’.”
Admission is $17 for adults, $15 for seniors, $8 for children over six years old and Old Westbury Gardens members and free for children under six years old.
The festival starts at 8 a.m. on August 22 and will run until 5 p.m.
Performances from singers and dancers on two separate stages will begin at 9 a.m. and continue until the end of the festival.
A tent for children’s entertainment will open at 10 a.m.
There will be fish and chips as well as other Scottish food, but no alcohol will be sold during the event.
Free parking with shuttle service to Old Westbury Gardens is available at Westbury High School.
