2021 Bagpipes & Bonfire

Click for program

Thank you for joining us this year!
Bagpipes & Bonfire has been a fall tradition for over 30 years and is Lake Forest Open Lands’ main fundraiser. This year the weather was glorious and your attendance and support was greatly appreciated! The funds raised at Bagpipes & Bonfire help to fulfill our mission devoted to the acquisition and stewardship of our natural landscapes, and to ensuring all people have a meaningful, lasting connection to nature and our land.

In the spirit of embracing our cultural history, this year we offered special tribute to our Native American predecessors with tribal dancing performances on the field in addition to the traditional marching pipe bands. And, of course, the magnificent bonfire to culminate a very special evening.

We’d like to extend our special thanks and appreciation to so many who made this evening possible:

Sunday, September 19
SOME FIRES ACTUALLY
GIVE YOU CHILLS.

4:00-7:00 p.m. | Middlefork Farm Nature Preserve

Patrons, Order of the Tartans and Grand Tartans (Reservations taken through Friday, September 10)
We hope you will consider supporting and joining us this year at one of our patron levels and enjoy a festive picnic dinner provided by LFOLA. Reservations and benefits are in detail below.

General Admission Reservations (Reservations taken through Thursday, September 16)
NEW THIS YEAR, general admission has changed. Our general admission guests will have a Ravinia-style picnic and bring their own food, refreshments, chairs and blankets to enjoy the festivities on the field. We'll bring the bagpipes and bonfire!

Members: $50/adult, $25/child ages 6-17, 5 & under free
Non-members and Day of walk-in: $75/adult, $35/child ages 6-17, 5 & under free

R efund policy | Photo policy

Saturday, September 18
THE PIPES ARE CALLING...

6:30 p.m.
Once again we want to share our spirit of community with the pipers playing Amazing Grace at sunset (6:30 p.m.) in various location throughout Lake Forest and Lake Bluff. CLICK HERE for a location near you!

On behalf of Lake Forest Open Lands’ Board of Directors, we are delighted to light the LFOLA fire once again and welcome all back to the field for our signature fundraiser, Bagpipes & Bonfire. The pipers will march, the sun will set and bonfire will be lit in person on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at Middlefork Farm Nature Preserve from 4-7:00 pm. Proceeds from this event go to support our important conservation mission and work in the community.

In the spirit of embracing our cultural history, we offer special tribute to our Native American predecessors with tribal dancing performances on the field Sunday evening in addition to the traditional marching pipe bands. There will be entertainment for all on the field throughout the event including music, crafts, games and fly casting.

On Saturday evening, September 18, once again we want to share our spirit of community with the pipers playing Amazing Grace at sunset (6:30 p.m.) in various location throughout Lake Forest and Lake Bluff.

Culminate your evening with family and friends at the lighting of the bonfire!

CLICK HERE FOR MAP OF PIPERS FOR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18!

A PIPER IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD:

American Legion
Church of The Holy Spirit
Cherokee School
Everett Farm Nature Preserve
Everett School
First Presbyterian Church
Forest Park
Lake Forest Place
Lake Bluff Gazebo

Lake Forest Country Day School
Lake Forest High School
Market Square
Mellody Farm Nature Preserve
Sheridan School
South Park
St. Patrick Church
Waveland Park
West Park

We are no longer offering online reservations to the event. Please note, that we are taking Day of event walk-in: $75/adult, $35/child ages 6-17, 5 & under free.

Bring a little LFOLA home to you. Visit our Bagpipes & Bonfire live auction!

PURCHASE NOW!

Click here or scroll down this page for patron benefits and reservations.

Bagpipes & Bonfire Gift

Please note that general admission has changed to a Ravinia-style picnic on the field. Bring your own food, refreshments, chairs and blankets to enjoy the festivities. If you'd prefer to pick up a picnic dinner on your way to the field "think locally"

Enjoy the magical sounds of the pipers piping as the sun sets over the Middlefork Savanna.

In the spirit of embracing our cultural history, we offer special tribute to our Native American predecessors with tribal dancing performances.

We hope you will consider supporting and joining us this year at a patron level as detailed below:

PATRON: $750/group of 4

• Special reserved picnic area (bring your own chairs and blankets);
• Beer on tap to enjoy (or bring your own refreshments);
• 4 Scottish-themed picnic dinners and a bottle of wine for pick up in the Patron picnic area;
• 1 preferred parking pass;
• Additional tickets available for $75/additional guest;
• Professional family photo taken at the event;
• Patron listing in the event program and on our website.

ORDER OF THE TARTAN: $1,700/group of 6

• All of the above plus; access to a special tented seating area reserved exclusively for all Order of the Tartan patrons;
• Order of the Tartan hospitality tent includes a signature full bar;
• 6 Scottish-themed dinners in a picnic bag for pick up in the Order of the Tartan tent:
• Additional tickets available for $75/additional guest.

GRAND TARTAN: $7,500/group of 8 (Email for availability)

• All of the above plus; individual reserved tented seating area with an exclusive Scotch tasting bar;
• A Grand Tartan bar to enjoy the drinks of your choice;
• 8 Scottish-themed dinners delivered to your tent in a picnic basket;
• 1 additional preferred parking pass (for a total of 2);
• Up to 6 additional dinners available for purchase per tent ($75/additional guest).

Grand Tartans ($7,500+)
Anne and Stephen Bent
Court and Kristin Carruthers
The Claeys Family
The J. F. DePree Family
Sue Dixon
Connie and Tom Duckworth
Stephanie and John Harris

Genevieve Hillis and Brian Kocinski and Family
The Hunter Family
Ann and Greg Jones
Jamee and Michael Kane
Knauz Auto Group
John and Paula Lillard
Diana and David Moore

The Paul Moore Family
Blair and Becky Nagel
Negaunee Foundation
Northern Trust
Packaging Corporation of America
Mr. and Mrs. Hartley Rogers
Maryann and Tom Wells

Order of the Tartans ($1,700+)
Anonymous
Mark and Charlotte Ahern
Steve and Meg Barnhart
Jean Bauman
Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Bowen
Dennis and Maureen Brown
Devon and Yvonne Bruce
Marina Carney
Challenger Family
George and Alexandra Covington
Winnie and Bob Crawford
Sylvia and Toby Davis
Nancy and Ron Fletcher
The Foley Family

Katie and Matt Frekko
Mark and Susan Goodman
Mark and Mary Hoffman
Anne Hunting
Mr. and Mrs. Ned Jessen
Dawn Kirsch
Joan Boughton and Henry Kleeman
The Robert G. Knight, Jr. Family
Alan and Anne Lerner
Mariani Landscape
Susan and Phil Merlin
Susan and Bob Morrison
Matt and Janet Nagel
North Shore Gas

CJ and Heather Oates
Mary and Robert Pasquesi
Price Insurance
Robin and Timm Reynolds
Rother Family
The Rubinstein & Thuente Families
Rukavina Trade Consultants, Inc.
Melanie and Mike Rummel
Linda Shields
Nancy and Adrian Smith
Amanda & Travis Szwast
Alex and April Tompsidis
Tricia and Dick Wood
Alain and Barbara Wood-Prince

Patrons ($750+)
Steve and Mary Baer
Caroline and John Ballantine
Mr. and Mrs. Francis Beidler III
Jackson D. Brown
Ray Buschmann
Lynn and Patrick Canning
John Cialone and David Seleb
The Clifton Family
Charlie and Nicole Cooper
Michael J. Curcio
John and Jill Danaher
Melody and Shahab Fatheazam
Stephen Fletcher & Joe Sanson
Gina and Daniel Frank
Gay and Otto Georgi
Jim and Louise Glasser

Gay Grumhaus
Hirs Family
Elizabeth and Harold Jenkins
The Karahalios Family
Alisa Kart
Thomas Keim
Avery and David Keller
Margaret and Jonathan Kelley
Sarah and Chuck Lamphere
Rob and Kitty Lansing
Caroline and Marty Masterson
Cathy and Joe McGowan
Mark and Lori McLaughlin
Sean and Rachel McMahon
Matt Pannier
Col. Lewis M. and Dr. Sherryanne Porter

Bruce A. Reid
Santi and Laabs Families
Debbie and Mark Saran
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Schumacher
Scotty Searle
John and Susan Sentell
Jill and Leif Soderberg
George and Pat Stone/Hill & Stone Insurance Agency
Sophie and Jon Twichell
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Uihlein
William Vance
Mrs. Henry P. Wheeler
The Wolds and The Frasers
Marie and Andrew Woods
Susan and Stephen Wright
Robin and Mike Zafirovski

Other Gifts
Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Greene
Mr. and Mrs. Mike MacDougal

Elizabeth McKenna
Anna and Bryan O'Connor

Mr. and Mrs. Mark A. Oline
Andy and Betsy Rosenfield

Special Thanks
All Saints Chicago
American Legion McKinlock Post 264
Associate Board of Lake Forest Open Lands
Rev. Luke Back
Hollis Blume
Charlie and Calvine Bowen
Robert Boyle
City of Lake Forest
Nancy and Peter Clemens
Matty Price Collins

Msgr. Dempsey
Spencer DePree and Family
Jennifer Forestierre
Gay and Otto Georgi and Family
Augie Hoffmann and Family
Joy Hurd
Jennifer Karras Photography
Lake Bluff Brewery
Lake Forest Montessori
Susie and Toby Lees

Mariani Landscape
Dr. Mark Mass
Kristin and Ryan McCain
Oakwood Cleaners
Riley O'Neil
George Pandaleon
Ravinia Brewing Co.
Rev. Clint Roberts
Sidney Services
Trickster Cultural Center

Many Thanks to Our Volunteers
Gail E. Anderson
Terry Anderson
Lisa Carlson
Mary T. Christel
Nancy Clemens
Peter Clemens
Alex Close
Chris Close
Spencer DePree
Dan Elsass
Don Fawcett
Adrienne Fawcett
Ruth Fireside
William J. Fireside
Jon Flusser

Sharon Gaske
Toby Georgi
Sarah Georgi
Greg Gibson
Thomas Gotlund
Collin Harty
Cheryl J. Kelly
Marcy Kerr
Stew Kerr
Seemin Khan
Derek Leggitt
Matthew Leggitt
Nick London
Tim London
Debbie Magee
Mark Oline

Rebecca Oline
Sara Pickus
Louis Pickus
Mac Prom
Jeri Prybell
Beth Shadur
Emma Sheridan
Michelle Taubenese
Chris Taubenese
Melissa Thoman
Carrie Van Eyck
John Van Eyck
Marie Woods
Andy Woods
Heather Wright
Andy Wright