News Summary
The Dunedin Highland Games and Festival is set to be Florida’s largest Scottish festival, attracting around 10,000 attendees. Celebrated for its rich Scottish heritage, the festival features a parade, Highland games, bagpipe bands, and various Scottish cuisines. Attendees can enjoy activities like a 5K run and sheep herding demonstrations. Following safety concerns in the community, a new alcohol-free community hub has opened. The festival promises a day of excitement amidst conversations surrounding community safety.
Dunedin is set to host the Dunedin Highland Games and Festival, Florida’s largest Scottish festival, anticipated to draw an estimated 10,000 attendees this year. The festival, running from March 11, celebrates Dunedin’s Scottish heritage, which traces back to its origins with Scottish settlers. Since its inception in 1965, the festival has grown into a cherished community event, showcasing traditional Scottish Highland games, competitive bagpipe bands, and a variety of Scottish cuisine.
The festival will kick off with a lively parade featuring pipe bands and numerous Scottish clans, setting the stage for an exciting day filled with activities. Attendees can participate in the Highland Trail 5K Run, Highland games, dancing competitions, and sheep herding demonstrations. A selection of vendor booths will provide a range of goods, and there will be numerous activities designed specifically for children. Tickets for the festival are priced at $20 at the gate, while children aged 12 and under can enter for free when accompanied by a paying adult. For those interested in attending, more information can be found on the festival’s Facebook page.
Alongside the festival, the ABC Action News team recently spotlighted Dunedin in their biweekly community show centered on neighborhoods in Tampa Bay. This episode highlighted unique local transportation options alongside various nonprofits, contributing to a sense of community pride.
Weather for the festival day is expected to be warm and muggy, with meteorologist Ally Blake predicting morning temperatures in the 70s and low 80s. Showers and storms are anticipated to roll in along the coast beginning around midday, progressing inland throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
The community is also grappling with safety concerns, as lawmakers are advocating for carbon monoxide alarms in hotels and short-term rentals. This push comes in the wake of a serious incident in Lakeland where four adults and four children were hospitalized due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a leak.
In an exciting development for Dunedin, a new community hub named MockFusion has opened, providing a space for residents to enjoy alcohol-free mocktails, organic beverages, and a friendly atmosphere conducive to socializing. Owned by Dunedin residents England Davis, Ashlynne Barnes, and Sabryna Dulski, MockFusion aims to support local vendors and employs environmentally friendly take-out cups, promoting sustainability within the community.
However, the community has recently faced challenges as well. A fire broke out at the Mease Life retirement community early in the morning, around 4:40 a.m. Fire agencies from multiple departments responded to the emergency, managing to contain the blaze to the roof of the north wing without causing displacement of residents. A 93-year-old woman received treatment for smoke inhalation but was reported to be in stable condition. The origin of the fire may be linked to an area undergoing construction, and while it remains under investigation, authorities do not consider it suspicious.
The upcoming Highland Games, the new community hub MockFusion, and the continuing discussions around safety and welfare highlight the vibrant yet complex nature of life in Dunedin. As the city prepares for the festival, its residents look forward to celebrating their rich heritage while navigating the challenges present in their community.
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Additional Resources
- ABC Action News: MockFusion in Dunedin
- Wikipedia: Dunedin, Florida
- WTSP: Fire at Mease Life Retirement Community
- Google Search: Dunedin Highland Games
- South Florida Hospital News: HCA Florida Largo Hospital
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida
- Patch: Annual Dunedin Highland Games
- Google News: Dunedin Community
Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER
The TAMPA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETampa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tampa, Hillsborough County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Florida State Fair, and Tampa Riverfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and United Way Suncoast, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and technology that power the local economy such as BayCare Health System, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, and KnowBe4. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERESTPetersburg.com, and HERETallahassee.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
