Who knew Wilsonville has Scottish roots?

That it does, and the town is going to celebrate its Scottish heritage on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m.to 3 p.m. with its first Whigmaleerie Day.

Wilsonville Mayor Rosemary Liveoak said, during research to get the Wilsonville Cemetery on the historic register, it was discovered that John Wilson, who founded Wilsonville, was Scottish.

“We had been talking about coming up with a fun day during the fall for the community to get together. We have several days during the year when we do that as a community, come together downtown, and we really enjoy that kind of thing,” she said.

After discovering the founder’s Scottish background, Jason Harris of the Wilsonville Civitan Club, starting looking up names for a Scottish-themed event and came across Whigmaleerie, which Liveoak said “means a fun, whimsical festival.”

The Wilsonville Civitan Club and the Town of Wilsonville are sponsoring Whigmaleerie Day. Proceeds will to go help the Civitan Club sponsor the many civic causes its supports each year.

On tap for the festival are a talent exhibition and a music stage, sales by local vendors, a kids’ swap shop, pony rides and train rides. The day will also include a military commemoration and a Revolutionary Way encampment and re-enactment.

However, the highlight of the event will be the Chili Cook Off.

Registration is under way for those hoping to enter the chili cookoff, as well as those wanting to compete in the talent exhibit and vendors.

To register, call 669-6180 or visit Wilsonville Town Hall for a registration form.

Entry fee for the Chili Cook Off is $15; registration for vendors is $15; registration for the kids’ swap shop is $5; registration for the talent exhibition is $5.

“We plan to close the streets down, take over downtown Wilsonville and have a fun time,” Liveoak said.