Festival Info & FAQ 2023
ABOUT
This year the Colorado Scottish Festival is returning with a NEW LOCATION, Denver Polo Club for Saturday and Sunday, August 5th & 6th, 2023 in Sedalia, CO. The Festival is produced by the St Andrew Society of Colorado where “the Scots are a Mile High” with 2023 celebrating our 59th annual Games!
Since 1963, the Festival has brought traditional Scottish Heavy Athletics, piping and drumming, Scottish Highland and Country dancing, as well as lively and fascinating Celtic culture to our Colorado friends and neighbors. Enjoy Celtic music and entertainment, Dogs of the British Isles, British Car Show (Sunday), Celtic food and merchandise, historical re-enactment with the Renaissance Scots, research your Scottish genealogy and find your Clan!
On Saturday, don’t miss the Bonnie Knees contest, Hot Piping and Hot Drumming contests and Goveners Cup Polo Match, evening concert with local Celtic rock group ‘Angus Mohr’. For the very best Festival VIP experience, join our Thistle Club! Lastly, be sure to try a bit of haggis and whisky tasting! Enjoy a day of Scotland in your own backyard!
LOCATION
Denver Polo Club
6359 Airport Rd
Sedalia, CO 80135
WHAT ARE FESTIVAL HOURS?
Sat, Aug 5, 2023 9:00am to 10:00pm
Sun, Aug 6, 2023 9:00am to 4:30pm
IS THERE A CONCERT?
Saturday concert with local Celtic rock group, Angus Mohr, starts at 7:00pm!
Don’t miss the pre-concert performances:
6:00pm Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers and Queen City Pipe Band
HOW MUCH IS ADMISSION AND WHERE DO I GET TICKETS?
Admissions:
$15 Adult
$10 Youth(5-17) / Senior (65+) / Military
Under 5: FREE
Purchase advance tickets online!
WHAT LODGING IS AVAILABLE?
This information will be posted soon.
WHAT RULES ARE THERE?
• No Outside Food or Drink. Bringing your own alcoholic beverages onto the grounds is prohibited by law
and strictly enforced
• No Weapons (Other than Prior Authorized Displays or culturally relevant regalia)
• No Petitioning, Canvassing, or Campaigning within the Festival
• NO REFUNDS
*** The Festival maintains the right to remove anyone from the Festival premises for being over-intoxicated, inappropriate, rude, or violating any Festival rule or City Ordinance. Douglas County Police Department will be readily available at the Festival for any issue that may arise.
HANDICAPPED ASSESSIBILITY:
Accessible parking is available for those with state-issued placards or license plates.
Courtesy carts move throughout the parking area to transport guests to the Admission Gate. However, the number of carts is limited and wait times may be necessary.
ALTITUDE CONSIDERATIONS: Denver metro is a mile high! Please hydrate prior to arrival. Use sunscreen regularly. Stay hydrated and continue to drink plenty of water.
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
No. Only pre-registered dogs participating as Dogs of the British Isles and Registered Service Animals are allowed at the festival.
WHAT ARE THE DOGS OF THE BRITISH ISLES?
The Colorado Scottish Festival welcomes many people with English, Scottish, Irish and Welsh breeds to join us. Meet other dog-lovers, watch as dogs of the British Isles have their own parade at the 10:00am both Saturday and Sunday, and don’t miss the dogs from rescue shelters.
Best of all, bring your pet to the Traditional Celtic Kirkin (churching/blessing) of the Tartans 9:30am on Sunday morning. We’ll be having the only Blessing of the Dogs ceremony at a festival in Colorado!
For more information or to register your English, Scottish, Irish or Welsh breed, contact british.dogs@ScottishGames.org. Registration is free!
WHERE DO I PARK?
Onsite parking is available for $5 per car, per day.
For SASC Heritage Fund members and our Thistle Club/VIP guests, there is close-in reserved parking in the lot just west and adjacent to the park. Must present your VIP Parking pass to access.
ADA PARKING: Please use the specifically designated handicapped parking spaces in the same lot. Must display handicap parking permit to access this parking lot.
TELL ME MORE!
What events are happening this year?
• Scottish Heavy Athletics (Rocky Mountain Scottish Athletes)
• Pipe Band Competitions
• Scottish Highland Dance Competition
• Returning this year: Dogs of the British Isles Exhibit (all weekend)
• British Car Show (Sunday only)
• Renaissance Scots (living history and re-enactment)
• A variety of wonderful Celtic vendors
• Scottish Clans, Societies
What kinds of Scottish foods will be present?
• Haggis!
• Meat Pies, Fish n Chips, Pasties
• Scottish confections (House of Stewart Confections which just opened a shop in Park Meadows, by the way!)
• Authentic Scottish baked goods (by Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers) cream scones, shortbread, tablet, oatcakes, bannocks, and more.
Do proceeds from the Festival benefit any organizations?
• All proceeds benefit the St Andrew Society of Colorado (SASC) (non-profit/501c3).
• Open to all people with an interest in traditional Scottish culture.
• The Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games is an event of the SASC.
• The longest-running Scottish Highland games in Colorado celebrating our 59th annual games!