About Us
The Scottish American Society of South Florida is non-profit, tax exempt [501(c)(3)] organization dedicated to the furtherance of Scottish culture through Scottish dance, music and art. We hold many events throughout the year including the Southeast Florida Scottish Festival and Games.
We are members of the Association of Scottish Games and Festivals (ASGF)
We are members of the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association (EUSPBA)
- The EUSPBA is divided into different branches
- The Southern Branch.
- The Florida Branch.
- The Southwest Region.
- This section is still under construction.
Scottish American Society Of South Florida http://www.sassf.org/
A Brief History
The Scottish American Society of South Florida, Inc. began in
1983 when a group of Scots and Scottish Americans got together to
put on a festival in Key Biscayne to introduce South Florida to the
rich culture of Scotland. After the success of that first Scottish
Highland Games and Festival, the group decided to incorporate as a
not for profit organization. On August 2, 2010 the Scottish American
Society of South Florida was 27 years old.
The goals of the Society are twofold: to showcase Scottish Culture
which is so much a part of the United States’ history, and to
utilize some of the income from the Festival and other events for
awarding scholarships for instruction in Scottish music, language,
Highland Dancing, as well as academic pursuits. These goals have not
changed in the past years.
The Festival moved from Key Biscayne in Miami-Dade County to
Plantation in Broward County, where the attendance has exceeded
8,000. By tradition, the Highland Festival is usually held on the
first Saturday in March. In 2006 through 2009 it was held at the
Fort Lauderdale Stadium & Event Site.
The Society is a 100% volunteer effort with no paid staff or paid
fundraisers and membership is open to all that have a desire to
further the traditions, history, and culture of Scotland. Meetings
are held monthly and members, as well as guests, are invited to
attend.
In addition to the annual Highland Festival, several other events
are celebrated. The season usually starts in September with the fall
ceilidh (Kay-lee; a Gaelic word for celebration). This year the fall
ceilidh is most likely to be in October. We are working on the
actual date and place. In November we remember Scotland’s patron
saint, Saint Andrew, with a dinner dance and normally in January
there is the Robert Burns’ Supper in honor of Scotland’s great poet
who gave us Olde langsyne among other poems and melodies. Last year
we added a golf scramble and battle of the Pipe Band Bash.
In the past, March was the long established Highland Games and
Festival. This was in Plantation’s Heritage Park for several years,
this year the Festival and Games are held at the Fort Lauderdale
Stadium & Event Site once again. This is the major undertaking for
the year.
All of these events are open to the public and are well attended, so
join up and join in. If you know of someone wishing to become a
member just have him or her email Victor at
victor@sassf.org or click on
membership
application on the membership page of our website for a pdf file
to be opened. If you do not have access to a computer, mail a
request to:
SASSF Memberships
C/O Victor Swackhammer
5615 Forrest Street
Hollywood, FL. 33021-2744
