CULTURAL and SPECIAL EVENTS

 

     Cultural festivals are a perfect opportunity to become familiar with another culture, reacquaint yourself with one, or introduce one to yourself and your friends and family.  We’ve chosen a sample of the ones here in Florida to show how entertaining and educational they are.   Our selections include Greek Festivals, Scottish Highland Games, Tastings, Pirate Festivals, Renaissance and Medeival Faires, Native American Pow Wows, and more.  Enjoy the shows, try a recipe, and then we hope you’ll be inspired to find cultural events in your own area. 

 

 

 

    HIGHLAND GAMES

 

     Welcome to the Highland Games of Florida!  Come celebrate the heritage of the Scots. Robert Burns, Alexander Graham Bell, and McIntosh were Scots.  Scotch is a drink, and at the Southeast Florida Highland Games you can sample several different brands of scotch.  Sample Scotch eggs, haggis (if you are brave), bridies, beer, and one of our very favorite deserts, sticky toffee pudding.  Listen to the pipes, watch the sheepdog demonstrations, and witness the tossing of the caber.   If you have a Scottish heritage, you may want to join your clan society. At the opening ceremonies, you can watch the gathering of the clans, listen to the pipe and drum bands and notice all the clan tartans. The colors and patterns identify each clan.  Then shop!   Tea sets, kilts, toys, foods, books, bagpipes, and bright shiny things are among the vast array of items.   It’s a treat for everyone in the group!  We visited the Southeast Florida Highland Games and the Central Florida Games.

 

 

GREEK FESTIVALS

 

      Welcome to the Greek Food Festival!  Enjoy the authentic foods, music, costumes, and dancing.  May we suggest the lamb, the mousakka, and the grape leaves, and for dessert, some baklava and Greek coffee!  Watch the twirling dancers and listen to the lively music. Savor a Greek wine while you shop for books, music, and knickknacks at the bazaar.  Don’t forget to take a few pastries home with you to enjoy later.