The Scottish games worthy of replay
In this big wide world of glorious diversity, there are some people – and by “some people” I mean my husband – who will watch the same movie over and over, however many times it takes to make me crazy.
On any given day I can find him google-eyed in front of some “Lord of the Rings” marathon, any “Godfather” picture you please, or some random Western starring some random, grizzled toothpick-chewer.
Today we’ll return to an old favorite ourselves, only in a far less irritating manner and at far less volume.
The Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering is back for its 63rd year.
From July 24-26, the Enumclaw (Wash.) Expo Center will rock with the North American Scottish Athletics Championships, the U.S. West Coast Drum Corps Championship and the Northwest Regional Harp Finals.
Organizers think you’ll be pleased by “titans who deftly toss the caber and put the stone, matching skill and strength against the odds on the athletic field of battle.”
Oh, my. I think I shall swoon.
The more musical diversions, while less burly, offer you the chance to “thrill to the bourdon (drone pipe) of the bagpipes and cadence of the drum … and behold the grace and elegance of the Scottish dancers.”
If that doesn’t make you weak in the knees, visit the Tilted Kilt Pub or the Rampant Lion Pub for a Scottish-style ale.
Throughout the weekend, you’ll be treated to drummers, pipe bands and other musicians galore, traditional Scottish food (mmm mmm, shortbread) and Highland and national dancing competitions.
Poke around in your Scottish ancestry and heritage – if you have any – along the Avenue of the Clans.
Have ye no’ finished spending your money? Visit the Hall of Vendors and the Celtic Marketplace.
There’s more:
•Staged combat with actual broadswords, axes and staves.
•The Scottish Farm, complete with working dogs, Clydesdales and Scottish Highland cattle
•And my favorite: Kirkin O’ the Tartan, a church service with a blessing of the tartan.
We’ve only scratched the Scottish surface. You’ll find an abundance of information at sshga.org. Or call (206) 522-2541.
Tickets run from free for children under 5 to $22 for a two-day adult pass.
The grass is bluer
Well, they’re not bashful.
The Snohomish County Tourism people sent a list of upcoming events, including the Darrington Bluegrass Festival, July 17 to 19.
They claim it’s been described as “going to heaven but not having to die.”
Whence that description? They don’t say.
They do say that bluegrass and gospel fans from all over the place come for a festival of “romping tunes.”
Those musical numbers come courtesy of Dailey and Vincent, named 2008 Entertainer of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Awards (IBMA); Dale Ann Bradley, the IBMA’s Female Vocalist of the Year in 2007 and 2008; and lesser luminaries like Minneapolis’ own High 48s, Rural Delivery from Fairbanks, Alaska, and others.
The three-day camping fee for all this picking-and-grinning fun comes in at $20, tent or RV. Ticket prices run $15 per person on Friday and Saturday up to $50 for a three-day pass.
Check glacierview.net/bluegrass for more about the musicians, performance schedules, camping and tickets. They’ll also help you at (360) 436-1179.
Regional events
•Ho ’ike and Hawaiian Festival, July 24-25, Vancouver, Wash. Get out your grass skirt for hula competitions, arts and crafts, Hawaiian food, entertainment and more. Admission is free. (southwestwashington.com/ 360-901-3749)
•Idaho Shakespeare Festival, through Sept. 29, Boise.
Pull up a blanket for “Twelfth Night,” “The Comedy of Errors” and … “A Tuna Christmas.” All I can say about that is, what??!! (idahoshakespeare.org, 208-429-9908)