Payson Scottish Festival provides fun for community

This year the Payson Scottish Festival celebrated its 31st year as an organized non-profit corporation. PSFA was organized under the direction of Don Lankford as the first Chairman in 1983 in preparation for their first games in August 1984 which were held in connection with Payson’s Onion Days with the help of Helen Scott who later became the Chairman from 1986 to 2000. The festival has been bringing fun and entertainment to Payson and Utah County residents since its inception.

The event began this year on Friday evening, July 11th with entertainment in the park from 6:30 – 9:30 pm. The featured performing artists this year was Men of Worth, giving performances on both Friday and Saturday.

There was an early morning 5K run before the main event began at 9 am on Saturday. The competitions began after a parade on Main Street where the Chieftain of the past two years, Mike Findlay, passed his duties on to the new Chieftain, Bob Gallimore, who then officially opened the games. Dancers, pipes and bands, and athletes competed throughout the day, pleasing the crowds who watched the events unfold.

There were a number of new merchant vendors and clan booths that joined us this year. The clans offered history and genealogical expertise for those interested. The food vendors kept the crowd fed and hydrated with enticing victuals.

The event ended after all the competitions were final on the Athletic Field at 5pm. After the Flowers of the Forest (folks who have recently passed on) were read, the bands played Flower of Scotland and Amazing Grace. The winners of the Pipes and Bands competitions were announced. The bands played a final number and the games ended.

Everyone was tired and satisfied from a fun-filled day of all things Scottish. Join us next year on July 10 & 11, 2015 for the best family fun around.