Ligonier Highland Games return to Idlewild & SoakZone

A friendly disagreement about recipes led to the creation of a shortbread baking contest at the Ligonier Highland Games.

The baking contest will be held for the fourth year, as the 63rd games take place Saturday at Idlewild & SoakZone in Ligonier Township. Gates open at 8 a.m., with the last event beginning at 5:30 p.m.

“There was a little bit of a feud between two of our longtime attendees over one ingredient,” said Rick Wonderley, the games’ executive director.

He didn’t remember which ingredient spurred the debate, but one included the ingredient, with the other protesting that it didn’t belong in a traditional shortbread recipe.

Thus the contest was conceived, and now welcomes entries in a traditional category for purists and a specialty category for bakers who want to get more creative.

Participation is free, although entrants must pay admission to the games. Entries of at least six pieces of any shape must be delivered to the headquarters tent before 2 p.m. Saturday.

Judging will occur at 2:30, with results announced during an awards ceremony set for 5 p.m.

“We have some real connoisseurs. They’re serious about shortbread,” Wonderley said of the contest judges. “I asked if I could be one, and they said, ‘You’re not serious enough.’ I said, ‘Can I at least eat the scraps then?’”

First-, second- and third-place winners will receive gift cards.

Along with the sweet biscuits, the event will feature other traditional Scottish fare including music from harps, fiddles, bagpipes and drums; Highland dancing, and heavy athletics competition.

Featured pipe bands will be the Seton Hill University Pipe Band, Balmoral Pipes and Drums from Pittsburgh and North Coast Pipe Band from Ohio.

Other entertainment will include more music and storytelling.

Gaelic goods

A vendor village will offer Scottish/Celtic goods including books, music, clothing, jewelry and musical instruments. A T-shirt with the games logo will be available.

The St. Andrews Society will provide information on Scottish genealogy and clan tartans. Visitors to the Scottish clans tent can find information on which clan a family name is associated with, along with information on that extended family in the old country and its role in Scottish history.

Weavers and living history and military re-enactors also will be present.

The ever-popular heavy athletics competition will include classes for amateurs, masters and women in caber toss, Braemar stone and stone put, weight for distance throw, hammer throw and sheaf toss. A separate keg toss competition is planned, along with a women’s haggis toss and children’s games.

“This year, Idlewild Park will be open during the games,” Wonderley said. “That hasn’t happened in decades, maybe since 1983 or ‘84.

“Last year, the new owners had a few rides open, but they thought it would make a nice crossover to have the whole park open,” he said. “It brings in a wider audience. People who bring their kids might want to ride the rides, and it brings in people who might not otherwise come to the games.”

Most of the park’s food booths and kiosks will be open, along with a beer tent near the carousel. Visitors also can bring in their own food.

Admission to the games and to the park will require separate fees, Wonderley noted. Dogs are not allowed in the park, except for registered service animals.

Because of a shortage of staff, this year’s games will be missing the traditional Gaelic mod, usually offered as a two-day showcase of Scottish Gaelic song, music, poetry and storytelling based on Scotland’s Royal National Mòd and provincial Mòds.

That also accounts for the games continuing as a one-day event this year, Wonderley said. Prior to a pandemic-year break in 2020, the event spanned two days.

“We’re hoping to go back to two days in 2024,” Wonderley said.

For more information, including entertainment and games schedules, visit ligonierhighlandgames.org.