Your News - July 2007
One of the best parts of being Scottish, being of Scottish descent or just being interested in all things Scottish, is being able to attend the numerous Festivals, Gatherings and Games that are held throughout the world. In this edition, we have events in USA, Canada, Brazil, France and Norway.
USA
California
The 30th Annual Fresno Highland Gathering & Games
Saturday, 15th September 2007
Fresno's Roeding Park, California
Entertainment this year will feature the SF/Bay Area Celtic Rock group Tempest, which has a strong Central Valley following. Also featured are Isla St. Clair (one of Scotland's best-loved singers) and traditional Celtic and folk singer, Peter Daldry. With Isla will be Piper John Spore, who was official piper to the late Queen Mother. Local performers Harps At Play and Pipe on the Hob will also be performing, along with the Fresno Stag & Thistle Pipe & Drum Band. A major feature will be professional Scottish Heavy Athletics (caber toss, hammer throw, etc), including the North American Hammer Throw Championship. Clans are well represented with over 45 clan and society tents. The Fresno Highland Gathering & Games are sponsored by the Scottish Society of Central California (SSCC).
www.scottishsociety.org/games.html
Dixon Scottish Highland Games
Thursday, 29th September 2007
Dixon, California
The sights, sounds, and food of Scotland can be experienced at the annual Dixon Scottish Games & Gathering at the Dixon Fairgrounds.
www.dixonscots.org
Indiana
Columbus Scottish Festival
Saturday-Sunday, 8th-9th September 2007
Bartholomew County Fairgrounds
Columbus, Indiana
The 16th Columbus Scottish Festival, special events include athletics, piping, dance, clans plus loads more.
www.scottishfestival.org
Iowa
Celtic Highland Games of the Quad Cities
Saturday, 25th August 2007
Davernport, Iowa
www.celtichighlandgames.org
Maryland
Maryland Renaissance Festival – Scottish Celebration
Saturday-Sunday, 25th-26th August 2007
Founded in 1977. Special events include a 16th century Renaissance village, continuous entertainment, craftsmen and jousting.
Crownsville
www.rennfest.com
Anne Arundel Scottish Festival
Saturday, 13th October 2007
Founded in 1992. See "Big Mac" the world's largest Scotsman. Spectacular Opening Ceremonies, featuring the "Parade of Clans and Massed Pipes and Drums." Get close to the famous Scottish Clydesdale horses, dogs and highland cattle. Don't miss the children's games and the "Wellie Toss." Enjoy traditional events filled with colour, pageantry, and music.
Anne Arundel Fairgrounds, Crownsville, MD
www.annearun.com/aadfi
Michigan
Kalamazoo Scottish Festival
Saturday, 25th August 2007
Kalamazoo Country Fairgrounds, Michigan
There will be Scottish folk entertainment all afternoon, lots of shaded seating, a history tent, expanded activities for younger Scots, bagpipe bands, dancing, athletics, vendors and much, much, more.
www.kalamazooscottishfestival.org
New York
47th Long Island Scottish Games
Saturday, 25 August 2007
Old Westbury Gardens, Old Westbury, New York
Performances throughout the day by the Clan Gordon Highlanders, the Amityville Highland Pipe Band, and the Northport Pipe and Drum Band.
www.liscots.org
Oregon
Celtic Highland Games and Clan Gathering
Friday-Sunday, 17th-19th August 2007
Riverbend Park in Winston, Oregon
This year's headliners providing entertainment include the Southern Oregon Scottish Bagpipe Band, Molly's Revenge Celtic music band, Golden Bough Celtic music trio, Oregon State Defense Force Pipeband and Mountain Aire folk music duet playing fiddle, guitars, flute, bodhran and other acoustic instruments. For more on the society and their Highland Games, see www.dcscots.org
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Scottish Games and Highland Gathering 2007
Saturday, 15th September 2007
Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
www.charlestonlowcountry.com
Virginia
Virginia Scottish Games
Saturday, 15th September, 2007
Delaplane, VA
The Virginia Scottish Games is a signature event of the Jamestown 400th anniversary.
www.vascottishgames.org
Williamsburg Scottish Festival 30th Anniversary
Friday-Sunday, 28th-30th September, 2007
Williamsburg, Virginia
2007 heralds the 30th Anniversary for Williamsburg Scottish Festival (WSF)! Since 1977, we have provided Williamsburg, Richmond and Tidewater surrounding area residents with fun and safe venues and activities in which to experience Scottish culture and history.
wsfonline.org
Washington
Whidbey Island Highland Games
Saturday, 11th August 2007
Come and join us when the traditions of the Highland Games come alive at the Greenbank Farm, located in Greenbank, Washington on beautiful Whidbey Island.
The centrepiece of the Games is competitions in four major areas, Highland Piping, Drumming, Dancing, and traditional Scottish Athletics. Bring your family and experience the Scottish music, culture and enjoy the variety of Celtic performances which are scheduled throughout the day on the Main Stage. Trace your ancestry as you stroll amongst the Clan Tents or enjoy browsing throughout the vender shops, which display traditional Scottish clothing, literature, music and much, much more.
Adults $8.00 Seniors/Military (w/ID) and Children (5-12) $6.00 4 and under Free
www.wihg.org
Wyoming
The Jackson Hole Scottish Festival
17th-18th August 2007
Jackson, Wyoming 83001
The Wyoming Highlanders host the annual Jackson Hole Scottish Festival on the third weekend in August each year. It features bagpipers, brawny Scottish heavy athletics, Celtic music, dancing and authentic Scottish foods.
Canada
New Brunswick
2007 Miramichi Scottish Festival
Friday-Sunday, 17th-19th August
Miramichi Agricultural Exhibition Grounds
77 John Street, Miramichi East, New Brunswick
Canada
www.miramichiscottishfestival.com
Ontario
60th Glengarry Highland Games
Friday-Saturday, 3rd-4th August 2007
Celebrating 60 years of Glengarry Highland Games with Dance, Sport, Fiddling, and tradition
Maxville Ontario
Canada
www.glengarryhighlandgames.com
South America
Brazil
2007 Caledonia Ball
Saturday, 29th September 2007, 8pm
Espaço Rosa Rosarum
Rua Francisco Leitão 416 – Pinheiros
One of Sao Paulo's premier events, the Caledonian Ball is a glittering Scottish evening with something for everyone.
Europe
France
Lorient Celtic Festival
Friday-Sunday, 3rd-12th August 2007
Loreint, Brittany
One of the largest festivals in Europe, held at a dozen venues in Lorient (Brittany), France. This year sees Scotland as the featured Celtic nation.
www.festival-interceltique.com
Norway
Guided Historic Walk
Wednesday, 19th September
An exploration of the Scottish links through Bergen's history, led by one of the city's experienced historians. Open to members and non-members. Check www.bergen-scottish.com for details of meeting point and start time.
Autumn Ceilidh
Saturday, 27th October
With the nights fair drawing in, it must be time for another evening of traditional music and Scottish country dancing. Music will again be provided by Blairgowrie's finest, the Ian Hutson Scottish Dance band. Open to members and non-members.
Check www.bergen-scottish.com for details of venue and start time.
Spain
Teba, Malaga
Saturday-Sunday, 4th–5th August 2007
The town hall at Teba in Andalucia, Spain is hosting an event on 4th-5th August 2007 when the castle will see pipers, and possibly dancers celebrate the establishment of a museum visitors centre dedicated to the story of Sir James Douglas.
For the people of Teba in the Malaga Province of Andalucia, Southern Spain, the death of Scottish patriot Sir James Douglas (1286-1330) is not the end of the story. Nestled in the wild semi agricultural mountain region, the restoration of Teba Castle will ensure that the memory of Douglas, who lost his life in battle against the Moorish King of Granada lives on.
The castle restoration is due for completion by the end of 2007. A tribute to the Scottish warrior will be highlighted amongst visitor information. The castle basement will include a projection area and will host re-enactments.
For more information www.andalucia.com
