Schools

Scotland Comes to Somerset Hills With Bonnie Brae Festival

Annual fundraising event scheduled for 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Liberty Corner.

Men in kilts, rows upon rows of bagpipers, sheepdogs, an array of Scottish foods and Highland dancers are only the beginning at Bonnie Brae's annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games.

The festival, which year takes place on Saturday at the Bonnie Brae School in the Liberty Corner section of Bernards Township, offers ways to track your tartan heritage — brawny athletes tossing large poles, British sports cars and more —  even that Scottish specialty, haggis.

The Scots will return to the rolling green fields of Bonnie Brae School and Treatment Center for the 27th year with bagpipes, drums and also re-enactors and other musical entertainment, vendors and entertainers.

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A full day of family activities are scheduled be held from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Fundraiser for school's residents

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The event is held at Bonnie Brae to assist the school and raise community awareness of the work done on behalf of the boys who attend and live at the facility, established many decades ago.

The event is held rain or shine. Admission is $15 for adults and $13 for seniors. Children under 16 are free. There is a $5 parking charge.

Over 600 pipers and drummers in two dozen plus bagpipe bands will compete and march throughout the day.

A grand parade is scheduled for noon, and again at 4:45 p.m.

Also competing are more than 100 Highland dancers. Other favorite events are the Scottish Athletics. Feats of strength include sheath toss, shot put and the caber toss. The caber toss can best be described as throwing a small telephone pole end for end.

There will be plenty of musical entertainment ongoing throughout the day.  Featured performers this year are Charlie Zahm, blending guitar and Scottish folk songs.

There also will be lots of Scottish style food, fish and chips, meat pies, bridies and of course, haggis. 

Additionally, more than two dozen organizations will help visitors search your Scottish ancestors, telling all about the kilt and the various tartans, while re-enactors will teach and demonstrate the finer arts of swordplay. The Companions of the Cross invite every one of all ages to try fencing. Jewelry, clothing, gifts, bagpipes and kilts will be on sale at the vendor village.

Additional information is at East of the Hebrides Entertainments or by calling Bonnie Brae at 908-647-4700. More information about Bonnie Brae is online.


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