40th Annual Scottish Festival and Kirkin' o' th' Tartan

First Presbyterian Church is hosting its annual Scottish festival on Saturday, October 24, from 2 PM to 6 PM, with a concert to follow at 6 PM. The whole thing takes place at the church's historic sanctuary at 12 C Street, and admission is free. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the tradition, and the church has expanded Saturday's hours to fit in a few new additions.

The festival centers on Scottish culture: bagpipes, Highland dancing, Scottish food, whisky, and tartans. The Salt Lake Scots Pipe Band & Drum Corps and their Highland Dancers lead the day, with interactive sessions on bagpipes, tartans, and Highland dancing held inside the sanctuary. One of the new additions is 'hurl the haggis,' a game where you shot-put a haggis from atop a half whiskey barrel, with prizes for youth and adult winners. Proceeds from the event support initiatives for the unhoused in the Salt Lake Valley and the church's Deacons' Fund.

If you're around on Sunday, the celebration continues with the Kirkin' o' th' Tartan services at 9 AM and 11 AM, held on Reformation Sunday. The services honor the Scottish roots of Presbyterianism: families bring clan tartans to be blessed, and the service opens with a procession led by the Salt Lake Scots, with a Beadle carrying the Bible, acolytes lighting candles, and banners representing the church's Christian, Scottish, and American heritages.

So, the full weekend is Saturday, October 24, from 2 PM to 6 PM for the festival and 6 PM for the concert, and Sunday, October 25, with services at 9 AM and 11 AM. Both are at First Presbyterian Church, 12 C Street, and admission is free.