scottish fest – Clan Wallace Society

18th Annual Dixon Scottish Highland Games and Gathering

Posted on 10/27/2018 by Scott Wallace

The Dixon Scottish Highland Games have been going on for 18 years in beautiful Dixon California. The games were held on September 29^th 2018 in the Dixon Fairgrounds.

Thirty four clans showed up at the fairgrounds for a wee bit O’ Scotland. The Clan Wallace tent was hosted by Russ and Marcia Harper. We were honored to have join us for the weekend, Deanna Lopes general manager of the games and a member of Clan Wallace.

Deanna graciously invited us to a whisky tasting that she spoke about all of the different single malt whiskies that were being tasted. Russ and I enjoyed learning about all the different types of single malt.

Along with Scottish Athletics they also hosted women’s Rugby matches. Every now and again a stray ball would come into the clan tents. Heads up!

The games hosted living history exhibits of Scottish history reenactors where you could view their encampment, Vikings and Army of Montrose Free artillery, 79th New York Highland were also present.

The entertainment for the games Flask, Tempest, Michael Mullen’s Trio of one.

Something special to these games is a Scottish wedding renewal of vows. Couples may renewal their wedding vows Scottish style.

Thank you so much for all that came out and joined us for the weekend. We can’t do the games without your support.

Contributed by Marcia Harper

37th annual Smoky Mountain Highland Games

Posted on 06/01/2018 by Scott Wallace

The 37th annual Smoky Mountain Highland Games (TN) was held on May 19-20, 2018. These games are held at the campus of Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee. Sunny skies and 95 degree weather for Saturday and light rain all day on Sunday. Forty nine clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Russ and Marcia Harper along with Aaron Harper and Susanne Dykes hosted the Clan Wallace tent.

The entertainment included the Colin Grant Adams, Albannach, Tannahill Weavers, Four Leaf Peat, The Selkie Girls, Trip Rogers, Marci the Entertainer, and the Good Thymes Ceilidh Band. The Games included heavy athletics; which our very own Jeremy Wallace came in 2^nd place in the amateurs “A” division. There were also a kilted run, Children’s Highland games competition, Highland dancing, Pipe band Competition and Border Collie Demonstration. The vendors at the games included, Near and Far, The Gaelic Shop, The Celtic Knot, The Heelan Hound, Highland Kilt Company, the Scots Corner, Scottish Gourmet, the Celtic Croft and the St. Croix weaving.

Three Best tent awards were handed out, Clan Wallace won first place.

Thanks to all that came out and enjoyed the weekend with us.

Contributed By Marcia Harper

18th Annual Bethabara Highland Games

Posted on 05/07/2018 by Scott Wallace

The Bethabara Highland Games (NC) was held on May 5, 2018. Overcast skies and 80 degree was the weather of the day. There were seventeen clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.

These games are held at Historic Bethabara Park in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Highland Games at Historic Bethabara Park are held to pay respect to the heritage of the early Scots and Scots-Irish pioneers who helped and guided the Moravians in their settlement of the Wachovia tract. This game is free and open for the enjoyment of the public. Russ and I along Linda Tyrell and Grandson Adian marched in the parade of Tartan.

The entertainment included the Jamestown Pipes and Drum and North Carolina State Pipeband. The Games included heavy athletics, Children’s Highland games competition, Children’s Colonial Games and storytelling, Border Collie Demonstration. The vendors at the games included Lady Susan’s Shortbread, Near and Far Scottish, Scottish Leather, Kelpie Pottery, Carolina Celt, and Lumpy’s Ice Cream.

Thanks to all that came out and enjoyed the day with us.

Contributed by Marcia Harper

2nd Annual Tartan Day North Carolina

Posted on 04/10/2018 by Scott Wallace

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

Posted on 04/02/2018 by Scott Wallace

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

24th Annual Sarasota Highland Games

Posted on 01/31/2018 by Scott Wallace

Russ Harper in his freedom pose outside of the Wallace tent

The Sarasota Highland Games (FL) was held on January 27, 2018. These games are held at Sarasota fair grounds in Sarasota, Florida. Sunshine and windy was the weather of the day. There were twenty one clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.

The entertainment included the Sarasota Pipes and Drum, Dunedin Pipes and Drums, Brendan Nolan and Booby Vesey and Mike Hickmont. 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 house of Douglas bakery, Scots Corner, Scots den, Celtic Designs by Melodye, The Celtic Store, and Faire Isles Trading Company.

Thanks to all that came out and enjoyed the day with us.

Courtesy of Marcia Harper

38th Annual Scotfest Tulsa Oklahoma

Posted on 09/27/2017 by Scott Wallace

Clan president Russ Harper with new annual member Arjun Badi

The 38Th annual Scotfest (OK) was held on September 16th, 17th 2017 in Tulsa Oklahoma. Hot and 20 mile an hour wind greeted the twenty clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Also at the games are Scottish club of Tulsa and United Scottish Clans of Oklahoma. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.

These games are held at River West Festival Park, Tulsa Oklahoma.

Saturday at noon was the Parade of Tartans. After the parade of tartans, we were recognized as having the best clan tent. Sir James Graham, eighth Duke of Montrose and chief of Clan Graham stopped by the tent to congratulate us on winning best clan tent.

The games hosted Highland dancing competition, heavy athletics, wee bairns area, and a rugby game.

Our special thanks to our newest annual member, 12 year old Arjun Badi from Planto Texas. 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

168th Annual Detroit Highland Games

Posted on 08/07/2017 by Scott Wallace

The Detroit Highland Games (MI) was held on August 5, 2017. Cool and windy start on Saturday to greet the twenty nine clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Also at the games are Council of Scottish Clans and Associations and Scottish Culture, Grant’s Company and St. Andrews Society of Detroit. Russ and Marcia Harper hosted the Clan Wallace tent.

These games are held at Greenmead Historical Park Livonia, Michigan. Greenmead is a historical farm site that was purchased by the city of Livonia to preserve the legacy of Michigan’s agricultural heritage.

At eleven o’clock was the blessing of the tartan. Followed by the parade of tartan. We were joined by Nancy Wallace and Jim Wagner as we marched around the parade field.

We were delighted to meet two retired nurses, Mary Wallace and Julie Tenbusch who own Wallace Scones. These ladies have the best scones I have ever tasted. If you are interested in trying these delicious scones, you can contact them at wallacescones@hotmail.com. You won’t be disappointed.

The games hosted a tug o’ war, Highland dancing competition, heavy athletics, wee bairns area, whisky tasting, Highland Tea, and shortbread contest.

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!

Courtesy of Marcia Harper

62nd Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

Posted on 07/21/2017 by Scott Wallace

The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games (NC) was held on July 6,7,8,9, 2017. Rainy Friday to start off the weekend but the sun did come out to greet the eighty clan tents participating and Clan Wallace was among them. Also at the games are Scottish Tartan Museum, Council of Scottish Clans and Associations and Scottish Culture and St. Andrews Society of Upper South Carolina and the Society of William Wallace. Russ and Marcia Harper along with Larry and Judy Slight hosted the Clan Wallace tents.

These games are held at MacRae meadow on Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina. Thursday night Russ did the calling of, the Clan. Wallaces cheered as he yelled FREEDOM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lots of Wallaces attended this weekend actives, Wes and Raine Wallace and son Adam Wallace and family, William Wallace, Mark Clifford, John and Sally Wallace, Randy Dedrickson, Mary Wallace, Judy Wallace Moore, Larry and Judy Slight, Bill and Betsy Wallace, Terry and Kelly Wallace alone with many more.

We had a special guest at the Games this year, Actor Cesar Domboy currently of “Outlander” fame, as the adult Fergus.

The 2017 Bear Run, part of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, started in Linville Thursday night and concluded at the top of Grandfather Mountain. Over 800 runners started the race and ranged in age from 7 to 77.

For the 3^rd year at Grandfather Mountain, we had women athletes competing in the games. Amy Jenkins proudly wears the Wallace green when she competes. Go Amy!!!!

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!

Courtesy of Marcia Harper