Two Chicago Summer Festivals Set for This Weekend

The largest Scottish cultural organization in North America, the CHICAGO SCOTS, celebrates three decades of providing entertainment and Scottish culture with a modern twist this June, with their annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games. Taking place Friday, June 17, and Saturday, June 18 at Hamilton Lakes, 1 Pierce Place, Itasca, IL, the beloved summer celebration, the largest festival of its kind in the Midwest, will feature an extravaganza of activities and attractions from the Caber Toss to the Highland Dance to the Dogs of Scotland. This family-friendly event is a chance to explore Scottish culture without buying a plane ticket. Event proceeds benefit the CHICAGO SCOTS' principle charities that provide assisted living and first class memory care at two locations: The Scottish Home and The Caledonian House.

"Each year we invite participants, whether Scottish by birth, by heritage, or simply by inclination to join us, and each year we are overwhelmed by the response to our festival. This year's event promises to be our most exciting celebration yet, highlighting 30 years of Scottish arts and entertainment, athletics, and culinary specialties," said Gus Noble, President of the CHICAGO SCOTS.

Attracting over 10,000 attendees to experience Scotland's rich heritage and unique traditions over the past 30 years, the annual celebration has featured all Grades of pipe bands, crowned many beautiful Heather Queens, and displayed the talents of many exceptionally skilled Dogs of Scotland. Of course, no Scottish Festival would be complete without the famous Haggis Hurling Contest and Haggis Eating Contest, only the brave will enter. Many men have bared their knees in the annual Men in Kilts contest and all levels of Highland Dancers have shown off their best moves. Over 500 participants throughout the years have put their creativity and taste buds to the ultimate test by joining the Shortbread Contest, and endless amounts of whisky have been tasted.

Be a part of the action this year as the festival launches Friday, June 17 with exhibits and vendors open from 4:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Highlights include the ever-popular Heavy Athletics Exhibition, the return of the band, Enter the Haggis as the Friday night headliner, Whisky VIP Master Class, Solo Pipe Band Competition, an action-packed kid's area with mini-golf, balloons, tattoos and mini athletics, and the Heather Queen competition, crowning the 2016 Queen and Court.

The fun continues on Saturday, June 18 from 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Guests will be able to enjoy the thrilling Heavy Athletics including the Caber Toss (with participants flipping 20-foot, 140-pound tree trunk), the 22-pound Hammer Throw, the Sheaf Toss (where athletes launch a bale of hay over a high bar) and the Clachnert (flinging a 16-pound river stone); lively Mid-West Pipe Band Championship competition, the largest pipe band competition in the Midwest with over 20 pipe bands and 300 solo performances of pipers and drummers; Highland Dance competition; an intense Rugby Sevens Highland Challenge; and a Coerver Cup 3v3 youth soccer tournament. The Dogs of Scotland, Highland Cattle, and Clydesdale Horses offer a chance to greet some of Scotland's cutest furry exports. Genealogy and cultural exhibits provide insight into ancestry to kick start research on the family tree. A Parade of Clan Tartans and attendee competitions British Car Show featuring vintage automobiles, Haggis Hurling Contest for women, Men in Kilts contest, Haggis Eating Contest and Shortbread Contest are also perennial favorites. Little ones may continue to enjoy mini-golf, balloons, tattoos and try mini heavy athletics. Sample Whisky and Spirts tastings will be available for adults to indulge in from various vendors. Dine on traditional Scottish or American cuisine and peruse the Celtic Marketplace. The festivities conclude with the Closing Ceremonies and Massed Bands Show, an exhilarating concert featuring 1,000 bagpipers and drummers performing traditional musical selections including Amazing Grace.

Celtic Rock Stage entertainment for this year includes high energy Celtic inspired performance group Chelsea House Orchestra, Celtic Folk Rock Band Enter The Haggis, Cleghorn and performances by Jon Langford and Sally Timms of the Mekons.

Ticket prices for the 30th Annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games are as follows:

Friday-Children 12 and under are FREE; Adults are $12.00; Seniors (60+) are $10.00

Saturday- Children under 2 are FREE; Children ages 3-12 $5.00; Adults are $20.00; Seniors (60+) are $15.00

Two Day Pass - Children under 2 are FREE; Children ages 3-12 $5.00; Adults are $30.00; Seniors (60+) are $25.00

Patron Weekend Pass (Family Friendly)- $210 This two-day pass includes entry into the festival (for 2 adults & 2 children), premier seating inside the Patron Tent, complimentary food and beverages, 16 drink tickets (beer included), and parking passes for both days.

Patron Weekend Pass (21 & Over)- $130 This two-day pass includes entry for one individual into the festival, premier seating inside the Patron Tent, complimentary food and beverages, 8 drink tickets (beer included), and parking passes for both days.

The festival is held at Hamilton Lakes, Itasca, Illinois, located at I-290 and Thorndale Avenue. Parking will be available on pavement in parking garages. Parking will be $5 per vehicle for parking on both Friday, June 17 and Saturday, June 18 or guests may purchase a two-day parking pass for $8. For more information, event schedules, competition registration forms or to purchase tickets, visit www.scottishfestivalchicago.org or call (708) 426-7149.

The CHICAGO SCOTS would like to thank the following corporate sponsors and in-kind donors: Hamilton Partners, Village of Itasca, Itasca Fire Department, St. Killian Importing Highland Titles, Westin Hotel of Itasca, and Hyatt Place Itasca.

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The CHICAGO SCOTS celebrate Scottish identity on behalf of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society. Established in 1845, the Society is the oldest 501(c)3 charity in Illinois. The Society nourishes Scottish identity through service, fellowship and celebration of Scottish culture. In addition to organizing initiatives to promote Scottish culture, the Society offers a range of elder care services at our Scottish Home. The CHICAGO SCOTS welcome everyone who is Scottish by birth, by heritage or simply by inclination.

THE NATION'S LARGEST FEMALE COMEDY FESTIVAL

THE CHICAGO WOMEN'S FUNNY FESTIVAL

ANNOUNCES FIFTH ANNIVERSARY LINEUP

With 400 artists from over 95 groups performing 83 shows, the Chicago Women's Funny Festival packs the best in female comedy into 4 funny-filled days, June 16-19

CHICAGO - Stage 773 Director of Operations Jill Valentine and co-producer Liz McArthur are thrilled to announce the highly anticipated lineup for the 5th Annual Chicago Women's Funny Festival, taking place June 16 through June 19 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont. The Chicago Women's Funny Festival, the largest of its kind in the nation, features all forms of comedy- from 'highbrow musical improv' to 'relatable stand-up' to 'character driven sketch', as comediennes gather together from across the globe. With over 83 shows packed into four days, Stage 773 has made it easier than ever to discover new groups to love, allowing patrons to filter through art forms, a rating and keywords to find their own taste in comedy. The full schedule and searchable calendar for the 5th Annual Chicago Women's Funny Festival can be viewed at www.stage773.com/WomensFestCalendar.

"We are extremely excited to be celebrating the fifth year of the festival and to host some of the best in female comedy in the nation," said Valentine. "Having women from all different comedic art forms come together and celebrate under one roof in Chicago is something that is very special to us and the community."

Combining both fresh and familiar faces, highlights for 2016 include the return of SNL writer Katie Rich with former SC Mainstage/Consultant for Onion News Network, Holly Laurent, in their improv duo Joan and Ro; Chicago Sketchfest veteran groups Off Off Broadzway and The Cupid Players (developing all new works for the festival); Improv veterans Susan Messing and Rachel Mason in The Boys; Comedic dance troupe Matter Dance; Transgender comic and writer Dina Martinez; Stand Up comedienne from Detroit Simply Shanell; Improv group from Kansas City, 5'10", and much more.

Chicago Women's Funny Festival was founded in 2012 when producers Jill Valentine and Liz McArthur wanted to build a comedy festival where women could come together and celebrate all art forms of comedy under one roof. The first festival boasted 66 shows and 400 performers in five days. Women's Fest also hosted events throughout the week where women from across the country could network with each other and more importantly, celebrate one another's work. The response from comediennes and audience members was overwhelmingly positive - which is why the festival is coming back for a fifth year.

Jill Valentine is a Chicago Southside native who has been the Executive Director of the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival (also the largest of its kind in the nation) since the festival's inception in 2000. She is also Stage 773's Director of Operations and a founding principal of the building. Jill performs in several popular and critically acclaimed groups in Chicago, including The Cupid Players, Off Off Broadzway and Feminine Gentleman who have performed all over the country.

Liz McArthur hails from St. Louis and has worked with The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival since 2005. McArthur can be seen with groups such as Off Off Broadzway, OneTwoThree Comedy, and Feminine Gentlemen. McArthur is also part of the hit zombie comedy Musical of the Living Dead.

All performances will take place at Chicago's home for the city's most innovative, creative and passionate off-Loop performing artists, Stage 773, located at 1225 W. Belmont. Stage 773 is a non-profit Chicago company that produces The Cupid Players, Bri-Ko, The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, education and program opportunities, as well as offering subsidized theater rental space to the hundreds of Chicago's itinerant off-Loop companies and performers.

The 5th Annual Chicago Women's Funny Festival runs June 16 - June 19, 2016. Performances are Thursday, June 16th at 8 - 10 p.m., Friday, June 17th at 8 - 11 p.m., Saturday, June 18th at 4:30 - 11 p.m., and Sunday, June 19th at 2 - 8 p.m. Individual ticket prices are $15, and festival passes are available for $37.50 (Thursday), $47.50 (Friday), $57.50 (Sunday) or $100 for an all festival pass. New this year is a Sunday three show flex pass for $33. All tickets and festival passes may be purchased at www.Stage773.com, by phone at 773.327.5252, and in person at the Stage 773 box office.

About Stage 773

Stage 773 is a vibrant anchor of the Belmont Theatre District and home to Chicago's finest off-Loop talent. As a performance and tenant venue, our four stages provide entertainment for everyone: comedy, theatre, dance, musicals and more. We are a not-for-profit, connecting and catalyzing the theater community, while showcasing established artists and incubating up-and-coming talent.