Bonnie Brae Scottish Festival and Highland Games Saturday, June 2, 2007
posted 2/05/2007 | archive
SPONSOR - East of the Hebrides Entertainments
(
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THE 21st ANNUAL BONNIE BRAE SCOTTISH FESTIVAL AND HIGHLAND GAMESDates and Times: Saturday, June 2, 2007 (9:00AM to 5:30PM)
Location: The Bonnie Brae Education Facility
3415 Valley Rd., Liberty Corner, NJ 07938
Admission: Adult - $12
6-16 $3.00 - Free to children under 6
Parking: $4.00
The Scots return to the fields of Bonnie Brae Educational Facility for the 21st year with bagpipes, drums, Highland dancers, sheep dogs, brawny athletes, British sports Cars, show dogs, re-enactors, vendors and entertainers. A full day of family activities will be held from 9:00AM to 5:30PM when the Bonnie Brae Scottish Festival and Highland Games takes place on Saturday, June 2nd. This yearly festival celebrating the heritage of Scotland is a highlight to the town of Liberty Corner, NJ, located halfway between Newark, NJ and Easton, PA off of Rt. 78 at Exit 33.
The event is held at the Bonnie Brae Educational Facility to assist the school and raise community awareness of the work done on behalf of the boys that attend the special needs facility. Bonnie Brae, accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), is one of the nation's preeminent therapeutic learning environments for troubled adolescent boys who have been neglected, abused, or abandoned.
Over 500 pipers and drummers in two dozen plus bagpipe bands will compete and march throughout the day with a grand parade at Noon and again at 5:00PM. Also competing are over one hundred Highland Dancers ranging in ages from five to the early twenties. Dance competitions include the Highland Fling and the Sword Dance, both dating back into the mists of time. Other favorite events, popular with everyone, are the Scottish Athletics. Feats of strength include sheath toss, shot put and the caber toss. The latter can best be described as throwing a small telephone pole end for end.
There will plenty of musical entertainment ongoing throughout the day. Featured performers this year are Canadian-Scottish performers, Ashley MacLeod and Neil Emberg blending guitar with fiddle and song. In addition, as a highlight, the Emerald Isle Step Dancers will feature dances from the cousins of the Scots, the Irish. As special treat this year comes right from the Bonnie Brae boys themselves. The Bonnie Brae Knights Drum Corp will perform at the Opening Ceremony at Noon. Recently featured at the Wachovia Center, the boys will march and play for the hometown crowd for the first time at the Scottish Games.
Scotland is known for many dog breeds and various kennel clubs will bring collies, Shetland sheep dogs, and golden retrievers to the festival. Additionally, the Raspberry Ridge Sheep Farm from Bangor, PA will demonstrate sheep herding with their Scottish Border Collies. And for those of an automotive mind, the NJ Triumph Car Club will bring almost three dozen antique and British sports cars to the field.
Moreover, there will be lots of Scottish style food. Fish and Chips, Meat Pies, Bridies and maybe haggis. However, for those that are not culinary explorers, not to worry, there will be plenty of American fare. Additionally, over two dozen organizations will help you search your Scottish ancestors, tell you all about the kilt and the various tartans while re-enactors will teach and demonstrate the finer arts of sword play. The Companions of the Cross invite everyone of all ages to try fencing. Jewelry, clothing, gifts, bagpipes and kilts will be on sale at the vendor village.
The event is held rain or shine. Admission is $12 for Adults, $3.00 for children 6 to 16 and the wee ones under 6 are free. There is a $4.00 parking charge.
FOR FULL INFORMATION
East of the Hebrides Entertainments
(610) 825-7268
www.eohebrides.com or
Bonnie Brae
(908) 647-4700
www.bonnie-brae.org
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