HAMMOND — Hammond Historical Museum will host its 5th annual Scottish Festival Saturday, July 8, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m..

Since the 2018 festival was such a success for the bicentennial celebration of the first Scottish settlers in Hammond, organizers decided to make this increasingly popular festival an annual fund-raising event for the museum. Entrance fee is $10 per person and $5 for ages 6-16. Children 5 and younger attend for free.

The festival committee has a variety of activities scheduled for the day.

At 8:30 a.m., just before the actual festival kicks off, eager walkers or runners can take part in the 5K Kilt Run/Walk with a bagpiper leading the way.

Sponsors for this event are Ogdensburg Pepsi Cola Bottlers, Yesteryear’s Vintage Doors & Ogdensburg Pizza Hut.

Throughout the day, “Battle on the Border” Highland games will include such competitions as stone tosses, Scottish hammers and the famous caber toss. This year there will also be a chance for audience participation in the stone lifting event.

The overall Highland games sponsor is Dark Island Spirits and individual game sponsors are Stu and Sue Marquart, The Blue Goose Studio, River Run Realty, Dr. Anthony Longo and Price Chopper.

On the musical entertainment side, the day is jam-packed with performers under the big tent.

The popular Celtic band, Kilrush, and the Ottawa Reel Dancers were asked to return and perform again at our festival this summer.

HUGs (Hammond Ukulele Group) will also return to have the audience sing along with some Scottish tunes.

New to the entertainment list this year is Fiddlers' Hall of Fame inductee, Gretchen Koehler, who will join with pianist Daniel Kelly to share renditions of Celtic music.

Bagpiper Raymond Purser will delight the crowd with some Scottish tunes.
The museum received a grant this spring that is covering a large portion of the entertainment.

Throughout the grounds, attendees can explore family connections with clan representatives, purchase unique items from a variety of craft vendors, and interact with authentic weaving, spinning and blacksmithing demonstrators.
There is a Scottish photo booth with an enlarged background mural, painted by Pam Winchester.

Children can have fun “storming the castle” via an obstacle course or enjoy the small petting zoo or the “Wee Bairns” activity tent.

Five museum buildings with displays and local artifacts will be open throughout the day.

The festival will have plenty of food and beverage options.

Fobare’s BBQ & Catering Company will provide a variety of food

For any of you Haggis lovers out there, the Haggis Hut will offer such delights as Walking Haggis Tacos and Scottish Nachos with Haggis.

Plenty of Scottish sweets will also be available.

Hammond Fire & Rescue will sell beer and soda and Maple Brewing will have their famous craft beer for sale.

The festival raffle has seven prizes at $10 per ticket. Tickets may be purchased at the museum, Dark Island Spirits, Alex Bay Big M or online at ww.HammondMuseum.com. One must be 18 years or older to participate.

First prize is a one night stay for two at Singer Castle’s Royal Suite on Dark Island, a $850 value, courtesy of Dark Island Tours, Inc., with boat transportation provided by Schermerhorn Harbor LLC.

Second prize is a one week stay at Camp Caledonia, Black Lake, for four people, a $750 Value, courtesy of Lawrence & Megan Miller, owners.

Third prize is $500 cash donated by Uncle Sam Boat Tours.

Fourth prize is a 3-minute grocery grab for up to $400 in groceries, courtesy of Alex Bay Big M.

Fifth prize is a kayak, courtesy of LP Thompson Insurance.

Sixth prize is two round trip tickets to Boston or Baltimore, via the Massena Airport, courtesy of Boutique Air.

Seventh prize is a one night stay and dinner for two at The Brae Loch Inn, courtesy of Jim & Val Barr, The Brae Loch Inn, Cazenovia.

Info: www.HammondMuseum.com.
To become a sponsor of the festival, call Donna at 315-528-4742.