2nd Annual Tartan Day North Carolina

The 2nd annual Tartan Day North Carolina celebration was held on April 6, 2018 at the Raleigh Museum of History. North Carolina has a rich history of Scots relocating to the new world. During troubled times, many Highlanders relocated to the Cape Fear River Valley and from the Lowlands, Ulster Scots settled throughout the Piedmont and Southern Appalachians.

Clan Wallace, Clan McLean, Clan Donald and SCOT (Scottish Association of the Triangle) were invited to the Museum of History to help educated folks on how important Tartan Day is in North Carolina. Along with the three clans where Wake District Pipe and Drum, Our State Magizine, weapons and sword dancing.

Russ and Marcia Harper set up a display of things that related to Scots in North Carolina and Clan Wallace. We also handed out packets we created to teachers to help their students better understand what it is to be Scottish and how it relates to North Carolina. It was estimated that 300 home school children visited us for Tartan Day. While many of the folks that visited had no Scottish connection, they were interested in finding out about Tartan Day.

Thanks to all that came out and enjoyed the day.

Contributed by Marcia Harper

26th Annual Panama City Beach Highland Games

The Panama City Beach Highland Games (FL) was held on March 3, 2018. These games are held at Frank Brown state park in Panama City Beach, Florida. Sunshine and wind was the weather of the day. There were forty clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.

The entertainment included the Santa Rosa Pipes and Drum, Emerald Coast Pipe and Drum, Tallahassee Pipe and Drum, and the Panama City Pipe and Drums, and the McGuire’s Pipe and Drums, The Blarney Girls and the Seven Nations. The Games included heavy athletics, Children’s Highland games competition, British Car show, Border Collie Demonstration and Highland dancing. The vendors at the games included, Celtic Store, Cameron British Food, The Wren’s Nest, Scots Corner, Scots den, and Near and Far Scottish.

At the end of the day Clan Wallace was awarded 1st place in Best clan tent. Clan Kennedy took 2nd place for Best Clan Tent, and Clan Johntson/e in American took 3rd place. Thanks to all that came out and enjoyed the day with us.

Contributed by Marcia Harper

8th Annual Tartan Day South

The 8th annual Tartan Day South (SC) was held on March 24, 2018. Sunshine and cold temperatures on Saturday greeted the fourteen clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.

Tartan Day South is held at the Historic Columbia Speedway, where Richard Petty had is first NASCAR race.

Carolina British Classic cars, Medieval Encampment, Kids Rides and Quidditch where just some of the things you could enjoy. The festival included athletics both men and women, Scottish dancing and Irish dancing, Children’s games face painting and storytelling, and three pipe bands.

What a great weekend we had. A special thanks to Ned Wallace who came out to enjoy the day with us.

Contributed by Marcia Harper

16th Annual Wisconsin Highland Games

Russ Harper with Best of Clan award

The Wisconsin Highland Games (WI) was held on September 4th, 5th and 6th, 2017.  Cool and windy start on Saturday to greet the twenty clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them.  Also at the games are Council of Scottish Clans and Associations and Scottish Culture, SAMS, Robert Burns Club of Milwaukee and St. Andrews Society of Milwaukee. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.

These games are held at Waukesha Expo Center, Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Friday night Fish fry and calling of the clans started the weekend festivities off with a great start. David Wallace joined Russ at the calling of the clan.

Saturday at noon was the Parade of Tartans. We were joined by David Wallace as we marched around the parade field. We were recognized as Best of Clan in the parade of tartans.

The games hosted Highland and Irish dancing competition, heavy athletics, wee bairns area, Pipe and Drum competition, sheep and duck herding, Queens Court, Archery competition, Haggis Hurl, and Battle Axe and Knife throwing.

Our thanks to all that came out and enjoy the weekend with us. Without YOU there is no Clan Wallace. Can’t wait to see you all next year!

 

Contributed by Marcia Harper