RURAL HILL NEWS RELEASE
Contact: 704.875.3113 or office@ruralhill.net, Photos available at www.ruralhill.net

CATAWBA VALLEY SCOTTISH SOCIETY ANNOUNCES ITS
SCOTTISH FESTIVAL AND LOCH NORMAN HIGHLAND GAMES
APRIL 17-19, 2009 

HUNTERSVILLE, NC:  The Catawba Valley Scottish Society (CVSS) proudly announces the launch of the newly-named Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games set for April 17 – 19, 2009.  An event known primarily for the excitement of the Games, the new name for the weekend better describes all that is offered.  CVSS Chairman Bob McIntosh says, “There is so much to do the entire weekend.  The Games are always fun and a draw for so many familiar faces each year, but there is also great family fun with demonstrations, music, food and more.  There is so much to experience that expanding the weekend into a Scottish Festival was the best step to make.  The smell of the wood fires, the tartan-clad dancers, and the sound of the pipes…it is exhilarating.”  

In a time of financial concerns and families looking for quality, affordable fun, Rural Hill has been able to fit the bill. Executive Director Ed McLean reports, “In Fall 2008 we had record numbers of people coming out for both the Amazing Maize Maze and the Sheepdog Trials.  We have a lot to offer for adults and children, close to home, and with a price that makes a day or weekend affordable entertainment.  The Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games will do the same.  We hope everyone will come on out for the fun and fellowship.”  Please visit www.ruralhill.net for full event details. 

The weekend offers something for everyone.  The Scottish Festival begins with The Call o’ the Clans on Friday, followed by a Scottish Country Welcome Dance at Hopewell Presbyterian Church.  Saturday and Sunday offer Scottish heavy athletics, and a variety of competitions that anyone can enter including children’s field competitions like the Kilted Mile for Lads (Boys) & Lassies (Girls) divided into age brackets: 12 & under, 13-15, 16-30, and 31 & over.  There is also the Kilted 1/4 Mile Run for 7-12 year olds and the Kilted 1/8 Mile Run for 6 and under.  We have a new Children’s Activity Village including the popular “Passport to Scotland,” music, storytelling, weaving, face painting, and the smaller versions of the heavy athletics competition. 

Also new this year is a Celtic Concert and Jam on Saturday evening featuring the talents of Clandestine, Ed Miller, Brian McNeil, The Hooligans, Jil Chanbliss and Scooter Muse from Henri’s Notions and more to be announced.  Other activities and demonstrations include crafts, Scottish and Celtic music and dancing, the Scottish American Military Society, the Highland Cows and more.  There will be more than 90 Scottish clans, family societies and heritage organizations to visit and discover your Scottish genealogy.  Sanctioned competitions include Individual Piping and Drumming, Pipe Band Competition, Carolinas Open Highland Dancing Championships, Scottish Country Dance Competition, Scottish Fiddle Competition and Scottish Harp Competition. 

Saturday and Sunday also offer one of the highlights of the Games - the Professional Scottish Heavy Events including the 16 lb Stone, 22 lb Hammer Throw, 28 lb Weight Throw, 56 lb Weight Throw, 56 lb Weight Toss for Height, Turning the Caber, and Tossing the Sheaf.   Note: Professional athletes are by invitation only.  Hometown favorites and athletes from across the country come to do their best and break world records.  

Complete Rural Hill Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games information is available online at www.ruralhill.net. Discount tickets are available.  Tickets may be purchased in advance via the website or admission at the gate is as follows:  

• Friday Evening Call o’ the Clans: FREE

• Friday Evening Scottish Country Welcome Dance: Gallery: $3/Participant: $15

•  2-Day Ticket (Sat. & Sun. and includes the Sat. evening Celtic Concert and Jam): $25

• Saturday Admission (includes the evening Celtic Concert and Jam): $20

• Saturday Evening Concert and Jam Only: $10

• Sunday Admission: $10

• Saturday Evening Scottish Country Dance: Gallery: $3/Participant: $20

• NOTE: Saturday & Sunday Parking: $5 per day (Includes one commemorative program per car)

Proceeds support the preservation of Rural Hill.

Rural Hill is located at 4431 Neck Road (off Beatties Ford Road) in Huntersville, 28078.  The former homestead of Major John and Violet Davidson, the 265 acre site is maintained and promoted by The Catawba Valley Scottish Society (CVSS).  Rural Hill features annual events such as the Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games, The Amazing Maize Maze at Rural Hill and the Rural Hill Sheepdog Trials.  CVSS is a non-profit organization supported through membership and donations.  For more information on events or for financial support accepted securely online, please visit www.ruralhill.net. 

###