Clans & Organizations
Represent Your Clan or Organization at the Scottish Festival & Highland Games
The Parade of the Tartans (includes organizations) will be held on Saturday, June 14th from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. around the Heavy Athletics Field. The Color Guard will lead the Pipe Band, Honored Clans, then remaining Clans march in the parade. We recommend that you carry large signs/banners with your names. Awards are distributed for Honored Clan, Best Tent Display by Clan, Best Tent Display by Society or Cultural Organization, Pageantry in the Parade of the Tartans and Best Military Presentation in the Parade of Tartans.
Participant Procedures & Rules
All applications must be received no later than May 12, 2025.
Exhibit space, table and chair rental must be pre-ordered. Additional tables/chairs will not be available at the festival. You can bring your own tent however all clan spaces will be covered this year (see picture below).
You can arrive to set-up Friday, June 13th between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. or Saturday, June 14th between 6:00 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Set-up times earlier in the week will also be available once your application is accepted.
You will be emailed tickets & Premier parking passes.
For each 17′ x 20′ exhibit space, you will receive two admission tickets and one premier parking/unloading pass. If you purchase a space larger than 17′ x 20′, you will be issued one extra admission ticket and one additional parking pass per each additional space. Additional tickets can be purchased online or at the gate.
Vehicles WILL NOT be permitted on festival grounds during hours of operations. You WILL NOT have access to drive past the Admission Gate Friday after 1 p.m. or Saturday between 7:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., upon completion of the Closing Ceremonies. Security will be on-site.
Overnight campers are NOT permitted, as well as outside alcohol.
2024 Clan Awards
Best Pageantry in Parade – Clan Gunn
Best Presentation in Parade – Clan Buchanan
Best Tent by a Clan – Clan Donnachaidh
Every year at our Scottish Festival & Highland Games, the Chicago Scots feature a family or an organization as our Honored Clan. This year, to recognize and celebrate its’ strong Scottish roots, our Honored Clan is Rotary International. We are proud to announce that Rotary International’s Scottish President, Gordon McInally has agreed to lead our Parade of Tartans at 12:30 p.m. Gordon will also receive the Salute to the Chieftain from the Massed Pipe Bands at approximately 6.30pm on Saturday, June 15, 2024.