The BC Highland Games - A Stadium Awash in Tartan
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
ALWAYS A CROWD PLEASER at the B.C. Highland Games - the Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band.
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VANCOUVER - It was another gloriously sunny day for the annual B.C. Highland games on June 26, at Coquitlam Town Centre Stadium. Many people were heard saying, "I think the Games are getting bigger and better every year."
PROUD SCOTS stand beside the Simon Fraser University Centre for Scottish Studies banner.
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Mike Paul who handles public relations for the Scottish Cultural Centre, confirmed that indeed they are getting bigger and better. "There were over 10,000 people at the Games this year and we had 15 more concession tents along with 20 Clan tents," he reported. Jim Bain, past-president of the Scottish Cultural Centre, was the man in charge of all the concession stands.
One of the busiest food tents was the one operated by Austin Gourmet. It was their first year at the Highland Games and all day long they had line-ups for their tasty traditional Scottish fare. They also served breakfast which was great for people on the grounds in the early morning. I had their Ayrshire bacon on a bun and it was delicious.
The day is always great fun for the kids with lots of activities, and of course, lots to eat. Many people bring their dogs and there were numerous varieties along with several Scottish Terriers.
Proudly marching for the first time at the B.C. Highland Games, members of the Vancouver Irish Pipes and Drums cut a very distinctive figure.
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The stadium was awash in tartans of every colour and description. There was something for everyone from caber tossing to Highland dancing, Irish dancing, and piping and drumming. It was all there, from entertainment to food, for people to enjoy and soak up some Scottish culture.
Mark Donnelly of Vancouver Canucks fame, officially opened the Games as he sang both national anthems. Then, Stewart Cunningham, President of the United Scottish Cultural Society, welcomed participants and visitors to the B.C. Highland Games. The Chieftain of the Day was Pipe Sargent Jack Lee, who is ranked among the world's most accomplished pipers with a long list of awards.
BACK ROW (L-R) Premier 14-15 year old champion - Fiona Lee, Coquitlam, teacher Heather Jolley (Heather Jolley Highland Dancers and Tartantown - Coquitlam), Premier 16-17 year old champion - Jenni-Leigh Harder, Maple Ridge. FRONT ROW 7-9 year old champion, Breanna Watt - Coquitlam.
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Aberdeen born Bill McCallion of Whonnock, B.C. was back again with his popular sheep dogs. Bill has a 24-acre farm where he raises sheep, ducks, chickens and dogs. It takes two years to train a sheepdog and this year, he brought along one that he had imported from Scotland. It's amazing how obedient and dedicated these dogs are and how they take instructions from Bill to take the sheep wherever he directs.
Another new addition at the Games was the Vancouver Regiment of the Irish Pipes and Drums who received a very warm welcome as they smartly marched past the grandstand. The whisky tasting tent was also very popular and sold out early in the day. The beer tent did a brisk business all day, with many people slacking their thirst away from the hot sun.
MIKE PAUL, Public Relations with the Scottish Cultural Centre and one of the organizers with the B.C. Highland Games pictured with Barb Stegemann, Tourist Director for the City of Coquitlam as she stamps Mike’s entertainment passport.
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Putting on the B.C. Highland Games is a lot of hard work and the committee and volunteers are to be congratulated for the professional job they do. For more information about the B.C. Highland Games, visit: www.bchighlandgames.com, or call the Scottish Cultural Centre at (604) 263-9911.
ON THE VIP PLATFORM at the opening ceremonies of the B.C. Highland Games are: Jon Kingsbury, Mayor of Coquitlam, Andy Newlands, Deputy British Consulate General, Jack Lee, Chieftain of the Day, James Moore, MP, Port Moody-Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam, Richard Stewart, MLA, Coquitlam-Maillardville, Christy Clark, MLA, Port Moody-Westwood, Barb Stegemann, Director of Tourism, Coquitlam, Stewart Cunningham, President of the United Scottish Society and Mark Donnelly.
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