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| Tuesday, February 9, 2010 |
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Kilts and bagpipes draw huge crowd at GPC
Published June 23, 2009
Kilts, bagpipes and all things Scottish were celebrated this weekend in Scottsboro.
Scottsboro's first time to host the North Alabama Scottish Festival was a rousing success.
When ticket sales had been counted, approximately 4,500 people paid to attend the festival. This number does not include the performers, volunteers, vendors and patrons, according to J.P. Parsons, Jackson County Tourism Director.
"It is our goal to continue this festival for future years to come," Parsons said. "It is evident the community got behind this, and many visitors came from the surrounding areas."
The festival was held in Madison County for 18 years, with the 19th annual festival being held at Goose Pond Colony in Scottsboro.
Parsons said plans are already underway for the 20th anniversary festival, which is expected to be held in Scottsboro, including some ideas for additions to the event. Parsons said they are planning a kilted run and golf tournament for next year.
Parsons thanked the volunteers for their help in making the festival such a success, as well as the sponsors. Highlands Medical Center served as the presenting sponsor, and the Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and High Country Automotive both served as sponsors for the event.
Parsons said the bag pipers were a big hit with the crowd, as were the traditional highland dancers. Several musicians and singers performed traditional Celtic music for the entertainment of the crowd. Flora MacDonald Gammon, who is the wife of John Dall who served as Master of Ceremonies for the festival, sang and accompanied herself on the mountain dulcimer.
The band SlipJig performed a variety of high energy jigs and reels, as well as ancient aires and ballads, all in the traditional Gaelic style.
Other performers included Colin Grant Adams and Richard VanValkenburgh, as well as the Alabama Pipes and Drums band and Judy Hackett's world champion highland dancers.
A wide array of Highland games were also played, with crowds of spectators watching and learning about these ancient tests of strength and skill. These games include the hammer toss, the caber toss, the sheaf toss, the clachneart (stone of strength), and the throwing of 28 and 56 pound weights for height and for distance.
Four-legged friends were not left out of the fun for this festival. A pet parade was held for animals, with prizes awarded for the best dressed, best Celtic dress, the prettiest, the most majestic, the biggest, the most wee beastie and the fiercest.
The skill and intelligence of border collies was on display in the sheepherding demonstration by Stan Moore, a nationally known trainer, and his animals. The border collies demonstrated their herding skills with both sheep and ducks.
Also on display were highland cows, or heiland coos as they are known in Scotland.
The festival concluded on Sunday morning with a special "kirkin' o' the tartans service" at Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This special service involves a presentation of tartans and roll call of the clans, as well as bagpipe music.
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