Our committee members recently learned of the death of a close  friend, not only to our festival BUT also was a member of the RI  Festival when they were being held.       We would like to offer our condolences to Joel Fuller's family & friends, may he rest in peace.     OBITUARY

Obituary of Joel McFarland FullerIN THE CARE OF

Preston-Joel   McFarland Fuller, 85, of Preston, Connecticut, passed away peacefully,   surrounded by his loving family on Nov. 18, 2024.  He was born in   Woonsocket, RI, on May 15, 1939, to John and Virginia (Wilkins) Fuller.    He was schooled in East Walpole, MA; Bridgeton Academy; and Maine   Maritime Academy in Castine, ME, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree   in Marine Engineering in 1964.  Throughout his 4 years at the Academy,   he sailed with his classmates to foreign ports on the school’s  training  ship, the State of Maine.  After graduation, he married in the  Fall of  1964, Janice (Blaine) Fuller, and shipped for two years with  Lykes Bros.  out of Galveston and Houston, Texas; taking supplies to  Vietnam for our  military during the Vietnam War.  After the 2-year  stint in world  shipping, he relocated to Groton, CT, where he took a  position in  engineering at General Dynamics/Electric Boat where he  stayed for 36  years, often being sent to the Prototype in Saratoga  Springs, NY;  working on restorations on the Nautilus, trouble-shooting  trips to  Charleston, SC, and riding “boats” on their sea trials.He  took  great pride in being a father to his namesake (Joel II) who will  dearly  miss him and the life lessons they shared.  He especially  enjoyed the  teaching of the McFarland clan heritage drawing from his  family tree.   Joel also was heavily involved with planning and  supporting the now  defunct Rhode Island Scottish Highland Festival  where he and Jan met  many of their friends.He  also loved kayaking with his  male friends and his wife, Jan.  The  Avalonia Land Conservancy group was  also part of his plan to enjoy  life.  Roaming the fields, setting up  bluebird houses, planning paths  so that others could enjoy strolls  through the fields and woods was a  great part of his life.Joel   was an active member of the Free Masons; first by joining the Masonic   Lodge in Castine, ME, while a midshipman at the academy.  He later   joined Coastal 57 in Pawcatuck, CT; as well as, taking the Scottish Rite   at Somerset St. James in Norwich, CT.Joel  was preceded in death  by his sister, Judith Fuller, and is survived by  his loving wife Janice,  his son Joel II (Angela) and their two  children Azariah and Dylan of  Uncasville, CT; and a brother John Fuller  of Mechanicsville, VA.  His  memory will live on in the hearts of  several nieces and nephews.  Joel  and his dry sense of humor will truly  be missed by all as he “crossed  the bar”.Donations  may be made in Joel’s honor to Avalonia Land Conservancy, PO Box 49,  Old Mystic, CT. 06372.  Please visit www.labenskifuneralhome.com to  leave an online condolence for the Fuller family. 

Here is a price break down for the tickets to attend our 2024 Highland Festival & Games;

$20.00 Regular Admission

$15.00 for Veterans, Students & Seniors

$5.00 for Children ages 5 through 12

Free for children under the age of 5 years of age

   We hope that you have a enjoyable day at our 37th annual Highland Festival & Games.    ALSO, PLEASE NOTE, NO DOGS ALLOWED, this includes vendors.  PLEASE do NOT bring a dog or any animal onto our grounds without our OK first or you will be asked to leave the festival

    A couple of our retired members, Art & Trish Dean), who moved to California have sent us a short note " Sending best wishes as the Games has a lovely new site to call home...in the Last Green Valley, to boot."
     We want to say THANK YOU to both Art & Trish for all of their work to run our festival and for their best wishes. Take care guys, would you like a ticket to attend?:):):))

            We are excited to have you with us! Our event is a great opportunity to connect with families who want to enjoy great entertainment, dance, animals of Scotland ( UK) and of course, the famous Highland games::))   

        This year's festival is being held on Sunday, October 12th, 2025 at the Brooklyn Connecticut fairgrounds, Fairgrounds Road/ Route 169, Brooklyn, Ct.

        Join us for an unforgettable experience that will leave you with new knowledge, connections, and memories to last a lifetime.

PLEASE NOTE:::: Tickets ARE available at the entry gate as you walk into the festival. Just walk up to the entry area and they will assist you with your purchase, cash and credit cards are accepted at the gate, see you soon, wear your kilt::))

ALSO, PLEASE note, as you walk in there will be a map showing the location off certain areas of interest, such as the famous Highland Games, opening & closing ceremonies and pipe band presentations, animals, Clan Village, Highland Dance competitions, Harp & Fiddle tens and so on.  Please take note of any times that certain events will happen such as in our main entertainment tent, our secondary entertainment area and so on. 

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