With deep regret and a heavy heart we must announce the cancellation of the 2021 Southeast Florida Scottish Festival & Highland Games that had tentatively been scheduled for March 6, 2021.  We were informed last week by Broward County that all county parks would be reserved for possible COVID testing or vaccination distribution, therefore Plantation Heritage Park, the Festival site since 2016, was no longer available.    The City of Fort Lauderdale let us know yesterday that Snyder Park, our 2^nd option for the Festival, was also no longer available, as they similarly needed to reserve Snyder and other parks for testing/vaccine distribution.   SASSF supports our local government’s efforts to keep the community safe and understands that facilitating vaccine distribution must take priority. 

 What Happens Now? 

Save the Date for March 5, 2022!   We will build on our experience with the successful 2020 Festival and all the work accomplished so far and will return in 2022 with a bigger and better Festival. 

 Why Not Postpone?

While we hope for additional vaccine approvals and improved manufacture/distribution, COVID vaccine distribution is likely to continue well into the summer, so the availability of any viable venue is doubtful.   Furthermore, our South Florida rainy/hurricane season begins in May and we cannot afford to hold the Festival during periods when there would be a much greater chance for a weather cancellation. 

 Will you hold a Virtual Festival?

We certainly plan to share previous Festival content, as we approach our regular Festival timeframe, but no firm plans have been made.   Please continue to follow us on Facebook to keep updated.

 How can you help?

We *always* welcome your participation in the planning and execution of the Festival.   If you think you’d like to help with planning the 2022 Festival, or want to learn more about the process, please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

 Support our Vendors, Local Businesses, Clans, and Entertainers!

The almost universal cancellation of most Scottish/Celtic festival and events since last March has been devastating to our vendors, local sponsors and businesses, clans, and the musicians, dancers, living history groups, artisans, and athletes whose participation is a cornerstone to making our Festival so memorable.   Over the coming year please make an effort to check out our vendors’ & entertainers’ online sites, visit our local businesses and restaurants, join/follow a clan,  contact our local athletes to attend a practice session, etc.   Let them know you appreciate their contributions to keeping Scottish culture alive!   We will update our website to ensure we have links to all Festival contributors and will regularly share their social media content.  

 Thank You!  Tapadh Leibh! 

Thank you for your continued interest and support of the Scottish American Society of South Florida [SASSF] and our efforts to preserve and promote Scottish Culture, Heritage, and History.   We’ve endured the challenges of the past year and  are ready to face whatever 2021 brings. 

 Slàinte Mhath!