Dunedin Highland Games draw estimated 21,000 across two days; foundation reports $73,200 in community donations
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Eric McNeil, president of the Dunedin Scottish Arts Foundation, told the commission the Highland Games weekend attracted an estimated 21,000 attendees and generated proceeds the foundation is returning to local bands, scholarships and community groups.
The Dunedin Scottish Arts Foundation reported to the City Commission on May 22 that this spring's Highland Games and an associated Celtic Festival drew strong attendance, economic impact and community donations.
"Our total estimate of attendees between both days is approximately 21,000 people," said Eric McNeil, president of the Dunedin Scottish Arts Foundation. McNeil credited heavy marketing and collaboration with city staff and volunteers for the turnout and noted attendance dipped somewhat from last year because of extreme heat during the Saturday event.
McNeil said the foundation spent about $92,000 on marketing in the last 12 months to promote the Celtic Festival and Highland Games, with much of that targeted outside Pinellas County. He said the group relied on roughly 465 volunteers, including 43 volunteer committee members and 11 board members.
The foundation told commissioners the event budget totaled just under $250,000. McNeil said local and regional businesses benefited: the foundation did business with more than 50 firms and a regional economic-impact estimate provided by VISTA St. Pete Clearwater placed the event's total regional economic impact at about $10 million.
After expenses the foundation reported it would distribute $73,200 in proceeds back to community programs. "The largest checks of that pot were for $12,000 each to the city of Dunedin pipe band, middle school pipe band, and high school band program," McNeil said. The foundation also distributed funds for scholarships (15 awards this year, up from seven in 2024) and to instruction and community groups.
Commissioners thanked the foundation and volunteers; Vice Mayor Jeff, the city liaison to Scottish Arts events, said he was proud of the cultural and economic contribution. The foundation previewed upcoming events, including a week-long piping and drumming camp and plans for competition travel by the city pipe band.
The commission did not take formal action on the presentation; the item was an informational update.