Clan do attitude: Scottish festival returns Oct. 5-6

Rachel Thompson/News-Register file photo##Kerry Rubert Bentley of Auburn, Washington, participates in the caber-tossing competition at last year’s McMinnville Scottish Festival. The event returns this weekend to the Yamhill County Fairgrounds.

More than 100 athletes, dozens of Highland dancers, sheep dogs and Scottish cattle, British car owners, Celtic musicians and members of every clan will participate Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 5 and 6, in the annual McMinnville Scottish Festival.

The festival will run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on the Yamhill County Fairgrounds in McMinnville. Admission in advance is $22.50 for one day or $35 for two for adults; $5 for one day or $10 for two for children 6 to 12. Seniors 55 and older and members of the military pay $20 for one day or $30 for two.

Tickets can be purchased in advance from the Scottish Festival website, celticheritage.org/ Tickets at the door cost slightly more.

Tickets include almost everything, from watching the throwing competitions to listening to the music. Whiskey tastings hosted by Ardbeg are available at 2 p.m. each day for an extra charge of $40.

Booths will be selling all sorts of Scottish and Celtic items, from kilts to scones and other traditional foods.

Clans will have booths set up so festival-goers can learn about their heritage or explore Celtic culture.

Participating clans and other genealogical and historical groups include:

Clan McLaren, Clan Stewart, Clan Macpherson, Clan Hay, Clan Farquharson, Clan Johnstone, Clan Douglas, Clan Ross, Clan Campbell, Clan MacMillan, Clan Cian & Lamont, Clan Maclachlan Society, House of Bruce, Clan Fraser, Clan MacNaughton, Clan Donald, Clan Strachan, Clan McGilvra, Douglas County Celtic Society, Cameron Highlanders of the Northwest, Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America, Clan Hannay, Yamhill County Genealogical Society and Clan Cunningham.

British cars will be on display Saturday.

Several Scottish cattle — or “Highland coos” — will be shown both days. In addition, Caesar the No Drama Llama will be returning to the festival Sunday afternoon.

Herding dogs will demonstrate their skills at rounding up and moving sheep. Sessions are scheduled at 10 a.m. and 1:30 and 4 p.m. in Delashmutt Arena.

Both days, a kids’ corner will offer arts and crafts, face painting, practicing the “sheep” and “caber” toss, and other activities.

An opening ceremony will be held at noon each day, featuring Irish dancers from Gallery Ballet and Tap.

The entertainment schedule includes:

Saturday: Katie Jane Band, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.; AML Trio, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Wicked Tinkers, 1 p.m., and 5:15 p.m.; Jim Sexton, 2 p.m.; and 5 p.m., mass bands.

Sunday: Katie Jane Band, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; AML Trio, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.; Wicked Tinkers, 1 p.m. and 4:15 p.m.; and 4 p.m., mass bands.

Several workshops are scheduled in the Leslie Lewis Pavilion on the fairgrounds. No pre-registration is required; admission is included with the festival tickets.

They include a fiddle workshop with Katie Jane at 1 p.m. Saturday; and a bodhran (Celtic drum) workshop at 1 p.m. Sunday with Trent Adams from the AML Trio.

Drum and bagpipe competitions are planned for both soloists and groups. Dancing contests also will be offered.

The Highland Games competitions will run both days, with brawny athletes tossing the caber and the sheaf, throwing heavy rocks and performing other traditional Scottish feats of strength. Contestants will range from novices to titans — professional athletes who travel to compete all over the world.

For more information, go to the website, call 971-241-9858 or email info@celtic heritage.org.