FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Cristin Kieser
Public Relations
952.445.7361
[email protected]
Show Off Yer Kilt at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival!
SHAKOPEE, Minn., (August 20, 2015) – The Minnesota Renaissance Festival is once again
showing off their Scottish pride during opening weekend. August 22 & 23, 2015, experience the
Highland Fling weekend events on the Festival Grounds with a Kilt Competition, Keg Toss,
Scotch Egg Eating Contest, Mural Competition, Scottish vendors and the Highland Heavy
Games Championships.
The Festival will host the World Amateur Highland Games Championships on Saturday.
The competitors will compete for the World Amateur title and have the opportunity to affirm
their professional status in the sport. On Sunday, experience the Midwest Men's and Women's
Highland Heavy Games Competitions. As the highlight of the weekend, these games feature a
combination of modern and ancient strength gaming practices. Make sure to come to cheer on
your fellow patrons!
The 8th annual Highland Games will test the will of even the strongest competitors as they
compete in eight different events. These events include the 56 lb Weight Throw for Height, the
56 lb Weight Throw for Distance, the 28 lb Weight Throw for Distance, the 16 lb Open Stone
Throw, the 20 lb Braemer Stone Throw, the Caber Toss, the Sheaf Toss, and the 16 lb Scottish
Hammer Throw. While some events have ties to Olympic track and field staples, events such as
the Caber Toss and Sheaf Toss can only be found in the Highland Heavy Games.
Got Scottish pride and a competitive streak? Cheer loud for your favorite contestant in the Kilt
Competition. This event will be held daily in Shepherd’s Green at 1:30 p.m. Prefer to flaunt
your strength? Compete in the Keg Toss for bragging rights. In addition to the competition, head
over to the Scottish Village to shop vendors from across the area.
The Minnesota Scottish Highland Dancers will also demonstrate their skills on the Pavilion
Stage with traditional Celtic Dancing. Shows will be held on the Pavilion stage at 1:30 and 3:30
p.m. each day. Join in on a traditional Scottish tradition with FREE Woodchuck Hard Cider
Tasting on the Pavilion Stage at 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.
Don’t forget to check out the new attractions at the Festival. Seek out the infamous Throne of
Swords to claim your destiny or meet your untimely doom. Ever wonder where fairies live, what
they look like, or what they do? Venture into the wooded and mystical Fairy Wing Forest, the
garden filled with fairies, pixies and magical creatures that now call the forest home. As you
travel the path, you will be transported to a world filled with wonder, whimsy and magic! Watch
as Captain Maxwell Drake recounts his tales of finding the beautiful Mermaid Ambrosia during
daily appearances in the Mermaid Cove. If you’re lucky, she may even share a piece of her
magic with you.
Also take advantage of our special weekend promotions during Highland Fling. On August 22 &
23, get FREE admission with a Blood Donation through Memorial Blood Centers. Schedule
your appointment starting August 1 to help avoid wait times.
Take a little bit of the Renaissance back home with you! As you shop during our Artisan
Appreciation weekends, August 16 through September 1, you will be able to support your
favorite shoppes and get rewarded. Spend $250 at any Artisan booths and receive one FREE
admission ticket to return on any of the remaining weekends! Select from gifts under $25 and
$50 or by categories including gifts for him, for her, for kids and even for pets!
The Minnesota Renaissance Festival 45th season begins on Saturday, August 22 and ends on
October 4, 2015. The Festival is open weekends, Labor Day and Festival Friday, October 2, 2015
from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., rain or shine. The Festival is located seven miles south of Shakopee on
Hwy 169. Festival patrons can enjoy 16 stages of live entertainment, 250 artisan vendors and 7
theme weekends, full combat jousting and food fit for a king. Admission at the gate: adults
$22.95; children 5-12 $13.95; seniors $20.95; four and under are free! Discount tickets are
available at participating Menards, Super America, Whole Foods and Walgreens. Coupons
towards admission are available at participating Subway and Papa Murphy’s locations. Visit
www.renaissancefest.com or call 952.445.7361 for more information.
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