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Scottish Games Arriving This Weekend In Escalon
ESCA
The first - of hopefully annual - Escalon Scottish Games will be staged Oct. 12 and 13 at Hogan-Ennis Park. Marg Jackson/The Times

They have been in the planning stages for months … and this weekend will finally see them come to fruition

The Escalon Scottish Cultural Association, ESCA, is hosting the first ever Escalon Scottish Games, being put on at the Hogan-Ennis Park complex adjacent to the city’s Community Center on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 12 and 13.

ESCA President Dave McIntosh said he is excited for the games to arrive and can’t wait to see how the competition goes and how the event is received.

“Things are going very well,” he said of getting the last few pieces set into place. “We have 21 different clans and societies coming, pipe bands, solo pipe and drum competitors, two musical acts, we will have nine different competitions.”

Spectators are welcomed to watch the competition play out; there will also be food and drink available. About 20 vendors will be on site with merchandise and food.

Admission is $15 for adults ages 11 to 65 on Saturday, $10 on Sunday or $20 for the weekend. Seniors and veterans will pay $10 on Saturday, $8 on Sunday or $15 for the weekend. Kids under 11 are admitted free.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

There will be local food vendors including D’Boni’s, the Escalon Youth Center and the Tri-Tipery, while local service clubs including Lions, Kiwanis and the Masonic Lodge will all be involved as well, with the Lions Club hosting their beer booth.

There will be whiskey tastings, a duck herding demonstration, plenty of costumed participants and music by the pipe bands.

McIntosh said he is anticipating several thousand people to turn out for the event, bringing additional money into the community. Association members will be making final preparations at their regular Thursday night meeting, Oct. 10, and then will be out on site all day Friday, Oct. 11 getting set up for the two-day event.

The goal is to make it an annual ‘Games’ gathering, added McIntosh.

Competition will take place in a number of divisions, including men’s women’s, beginner, and pro.

“I’m hoping it’s going to be a huge moneymaker for all involved,” McIntosh said.