"Nessie," mascot of the Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games, wowed large crowds at the July 4 th parade in Highlands Ranch.

Also known in Scotland as the Loch Ness Monster, Colorado's Nessie proved to be no monster - instead she inspired cheers from the crowd and requests from children wanting to be lifted up for hugs.

You can see Nessie again at the Colorado Scottish Festival, which is all day August 9-10, 2008, at Highland Heritage Park, 9651 S. Quebec St., in Highlands Ranch.

The Festival features the great Highland athletes throwing the caber (telephone pole), graceful Highland dancers, colorful Irish stepdancers, hundred of skirling pipers in massed bands, displays from more than 50 clans, historical re-enactments, children's events, dogs of the British Isles, vendors, food, music and entertainment - and much more.

Visit www.scottishgames.org for full details. Bring the whole family. Save gas - Scotland is only minutes away!