Kentucky Scottish Weekend facts for kids
The Kentucky Scottish Weekend was a fun event that happened every year in Carrollton, Kentucky. It was held at General Butler State Resort Park. This weekend celebration was all about sharing the cool customs and traditions of Scotland.
People often called it "KSW" for short. It took place every year on the second full weekend in May. The first weekend was in 1983. It ran for 30 years, with its last event in 2012. At that time, it was the longest-running Scottish festival in Kentucky! Carrollton was chosen because it's right between Louisville and Cincinnati. A group called Kentucky Scottish Weekend, Inc. organized the whole thing.
The Kentucky Scottish Weekend was one of three main Scottish festivals in Kentucky. The other two are the Glasgow Highland Games and the West Kentucky Highland Festival.
Many different vendors came to the event. They sold all sorts of things! You could find Scottish and American foods, special items from Celtic culture, and even kilts. There was also Scottish music, items for different Clans, and Scottish heathers.
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What Happened at the Weekend?
The Kentucky Scottish Weekend had lots of exciting activities. Here are some of the main things you could see and do:
Athletic Competitions
These games were like a Scottish Olympics! Strong athletes competed in events such as:
- Caber tossing: Throwing a huge log end-over-end.
- Hammer throw: Throwing a heavy hammer.
- Sheaf toss: Throwing a bag of straw over a high bar.
- Stone throw: Throwing a heavy stone.
- Weight throw: Throwing heavy weights.
- Weight toss: Tossing a heavy weight over a bar.
Music and Dance
Music and dance were a big part of the celebration.
- Bagpipe and drumming competitions: Different bands played their best. The event was even recognized by a group called the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association.
- Some pipe bands that often competed included the Cincinnati Caledonian Pipes and Drums and the Louisville Pipe Band.
- Pipe band concerts: You could enjoy live music from amazing pipe bands.
- Scottish folk music concerts: Other musicians played traditional Scottish songs.
- Scottish highland dancing competitions: Dancers showed off their fancy footwork.
Fun Contests and Shows
There were many unique and fun things to watch or join in:
- Bonniest knees contest: Men competed to see who had the "best" knees! Women judged them just by touch.
- Border Collie demonstrations: Smart dogs showed off their herding skills.
- British car show: Cool cars from Britain were on display.
- Ceilidh: A lively Scottish party with music and dancing on Saturday night.
- Clan booths: Different Scottish families (clans) had booths to share their history.
- Kirking of the Tartan: A special church service on Sunday morning.
- Opening ceremony: A grand start with all the pipe bands playing together.
- Parade of Tartans: People marched proudly in their family tartans (patterns).
- Wellie toss contest: Women competed to see who could throw a rubber boot the farthest!
Featured Performers
The Kentucky Scottish Weekend often had special guests. Alex Beaton was a popular performer and host for many years, starting in 1989. Later, other groups like Seven Nations, the Glengarry Bhoys, and Wicked Tinkers also performed.
The End of the Weekend
After many years, the Kentucky Scottish Weekend stopped happening. The money that was left over from the event was given to The Scottish Society of Louisville.
