Rain or Shine 10,000 Scots Will Gather for BC Highland Games
HIGHLAND DANCERS give a display of their talents in front of the grandstand at the BC Highland Games.
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COQUITLAM - On June 26, the United Scottish Cultural Societies of Vancouver present one of the biggest gatherings of Scots in British Columbia with the 2004 BC Highland Games. The annual event is held at the Coquitlam Town Centre Stadium in Coquitlam and if you haven’t marked this date in your calendar yet....do it now! This is an event not to be missed.
Last year an estimated 10,000 people attended the BC Highland Games and the grounds were a sea of kilts as Highland dancers and pipers mingled between competitions. A great family atmosphere always prevails at the Games with lots of room for children to play and soak up the many aspects of Scottish culture.
Gates open at 8:30 AM and the day is filled with heavy athletic events, Highland and Country dancing, along with piping and drumming. Mark Donnelly, the official anthem singer at the Vancouver Canucks hockey games will opened the games with the national anthems.
THELMA FOELLMER of Irish Fancy store is shown here at the BC Highland Games with her display in the Celtic marketplace.
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As usual, the Scottish Cultural information booth will be a hive of activity with volunteers directing people to various activities while answering the many questions. The marketplace is always very interesting with many specialty products offered.
Main stage shows will feature Tiller’s Folly in the 1,800 seat grandstand from 11:30 AM to 5 PM. Afterwards, The Crofters will entertain at an impromptu ceilidh from 7 PM to 9 PM. Among the cultural displays will be information on various clans, displays of antique cars and sheep dogs, and much more.
You can work up quite an appetite walking around the grounds, so there will be plenty of traditional food such as Scotch meat pies, along with beverages to keep the strength up. In the beer tent there is also whisky tasting display for those who would like a drop.
THIS YEAR, 15 pipe bands will gather to compete for first prize, including four-time world champions The Simon Fraser University Pipe Band.
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Among the 300 Highland dancers and 15 pipe bands competing for first place, will be four-time world piping champions, the Simon Fraser Pipe Band.
The stadium is located on Pinetree Way, just off the Barnett Highway (north of the Coquitlam Shopping Centre). Be there early to assure free parking for cars and RVs close to the stadium. Additional free parking will be available close by at Douglas College and also at the West Coast Express parking lot where a shuttle service will be available from 9:30 AM to approximately 6:30 PM.
The show will go on rain or shine. All day admission is $12, seniors and students $8 and children under 12 free. For more information, call (604) 263-9911, (604) 939-9614, or visit: www.bchighlandgames.com.
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