Whiskey, haggis, crafts and children’s games will all be on center stage this weekend at Hylton Performing Arts Center in Manassas.
The arts center will hold its “Hylton in the Highlands: A Festival of Scotland” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 24.
From dancing, bagpipes to tea, the festival is billed as offering something for everyone who loves all things Scottish.
“We are so excited to bring out our second edition of ‘Hylton in the Highlands: A Festival of Scotland,’” stated Rick Davis, executive director of the Hylton Center in a press release. “There’s something about the people and traditions of Scotland that makes them fun and accessible for everyone – whether it’s their music, food, ingenuity, bravery, arts and crafts or just general good spirits. Come one, come all.”
Here’s a listing of the day’s events:
Performances:
- Alan Reid and Rob van Sante, of Battlefield Band, perform a lively concert of modern and traditional Scottish folk music, original compositions and Battlefield Band favorites.
- The dynamic trio of Elke Baker, Ken Kolodner and Brad Kolodner explore the evolving traditions of Celtic music and its influence on the old-time music of Appalachia
Interactive experiences:
- Children’s Passport to Scotland featuring Highland games and crafts, in cooperation with Mid-Atlantic Scots 4 Tots
- Scottish country dancing demonstrations and open social dancing, presented by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
- A fiddle workshop with U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion Elke Baker
- A “bring-your-own-fiddle” jam session with Elke Baker, Ken Kolodner and Brad Kolodner
Scottish history and culture presentations:
- Lectures on Scotland’s “National Dish,” haggis, and on American naval hero and native Scotsman John Paul Jones
- Bagpipe demonstrations with master piper and teacher Paula Glendinning
Exhibits highlighting authentic crafts and goods for sale:
- Jewelry, pottery, traditional apparel and much more, with exhibits by R.E. Piland Goldsmiths, Sheep’s Clothing, Sonny Fletcher Pottery.
A Taste of Scotland (additional fees apply):
-
A Scotch whisky master class with native Scot and internationally renowned whisky connoisseur Dougie Wylie, “The Scotch Whisky Man,” with Scotch whisky provided by one of Scotland’s oldest family-owned and operated distilleries, William Grant and Sons
-
A full afternoon tea with homemade scones, clotted cream and jam, tea sandwiches, custom blended teas, sweets and more, presented by The Things I Love of Old Town Manassas
-
The Burns Night Supper, a celebration of Scotland’s national bard, poet and lyricist Robert Burns, featuring Scottish music, poetry reading, a Scotch whisky tasting and the ceremonial presentation of Scotland’s “National Dish,” haggis
Tickets for the festival are $20 each for adults and $5 for children. Families may purchase four tickets for $40, good for admission for two adults and two children.
