The Oklahoma Scottish Festival in Tusla

There's nothing quite like a Scottish Festival, and Tulsa, Oklahoma does a great job of organizing and executing one. The 2010 31^st Annual Oklahoma Scottish Festival is full of authentic Scottish activities, music, and food. Kilt-clad wearing clansmen roam the River West Festival Park grounds, weaving in and out of tent booths for different clans, crafts, and foods. If you are planning on taking your family out to this cultural event this weekend (or are interested in what will take place at next year's Scottish Festival), here is an overview of some of the many attractions to this lively festival.

1) Highland Games: Real, legitimate cultural entertainment can be hard to find at some festivals, but fortunately nobody can complain about this at the Scottish Festival. While caber tossing tends to be the crowd's favorite, a whole range of different athletic endeavors are carried out by the participating competitors. Grunts and moans are regularly heard during these very physically demanding games.

2) Scottish Food: While the various beer brands are definitely a huge attraction to many people, the authentic Scottish food is equally enticing. Among the favorite dishes are different meat pies, as well as a dessert similar to regular strawberry shortcake made from a scone, strawberries, and cream.

3) Lively music: Besides the regular bagpipe bands, the Annual Oklahoma Scottish Festival also has a huge array of various Scottish rock bands. Complete with violins and bagpipes, these fun and lively bands provide entertainment in the main dining tent throughout the entire event. Many bands have multiple performance times so those who missed one showing may be able to catch another.

4) Clan Booths: If you know you're of Scottish heritage and want to find out more about your ancestors, this festival is the perfect place to be. Surrounding the entire Highland Games field are different booths representing many different Scottish clans. Informational material, family crests, and other clans-related memorabilia is displayed are these booths.

5) Highland Dancing: From Irish jigging to a Highland dance team, the dance tent is a great place to chill and enjoy some lively entertainment. Many of the performances also include a teaching session where audiences are offered the opportunity to learn a few basis steps.

6) Children's Area: A few Clydesdales stamp in the shade of the petting zoo area, along with a flock of geese. This year's festival included an exhibition of Border collie geese -herding-an activity that is sure to produce lots of laughter for the whole family. Inflatable jump houses, potato sack races, and three legged races are also in the area for the little ones of the family.

Overall, the Oklahoma Scottish Festival in Tulsa, Oklahoma is a great event. This year's festival was/is being held on the weekend of September 17, 18, and 19^th and next year's festival will be held around the same time of year. Admission for those over six years of age is only $5 a day, while the parking fee is also $5 per vehicle.