Quechee Games Return With Even More Events Aug. 26

By Virginia Dean, Standard Correspondent
The Quechee Games – formerly known as the Quechee Scottish Festival – are up and running again this year and will offer not only some of the same events as years past, but more, according to overseer Lezlie Webster of sponsor Scottish Arts, Inc. of New Hampshire.
“The Scottish Games continue because we feel they are important in our competition and Highland Games season,” said Webster. “We’re excited and have made some great changes to what people want to have in addition to what was already there. The games will go on as usual with many of the same faces.”
With gates opening on Saturday, Aug. 26, at 9 a.m., some of the popular events include the solo bagpipe and chanter competition, Highland dancing competition, Scottish arts and crafts, Highland athletics and Scottish wares. There will be Pipe Band competitions and Massed Bands from noon to 4 p.m.
“This year, we’re urging visitors to bring their fiddles to Katie MacNally’s performances, and she will include some tunes everyone can play along with,” said Webster.
MacNally will perform from 1 to 2 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. in the entertainment tent.
“There will also be Scottish ceilidh dance music by Frost and Fire that will get your inner Scot going!” said Webster. “There will be dancing for everyone, eating a Scotch egg, putting on a kilt, and learning about a clan’s history.”
Salt Hill Pub of various locations in New Hampshire is providing the food, and there will be entertainment in the beer tent, she added.
Individuals will be on hand at Gibson’s booth to help learn how to play the chanter, the part of the bagpipe upon which the player creates the melody. The historic Highlanders from New Hampshire will have an encampment where attendants can learn how the Highlanders survived hundreds of years ago. Highland dance competitors are from Ontario, Quebec; Ohio; and New England.
Scottish Arts, Inc., headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire, sponsors the festival, that has attracted people from all over New England and Canada as well as other parts of the world for over 40 years. The organization also runs the New Hampshire School of Scottish Arts that teaches pipers, dancers, drummers and fiddlers.
“This is a completely communal effort by all of us who have fronted the money,” said Webster. “It’s a very Vermont way of thinking, to be communal. We’ll put a rainy day fund together for the event to happen next year if we make a profit this year. The rest goes to all those who have taken on a certain aspect of the games.”
Some of the events include open stone, Braemar stone put, heavy weight for distance, light weight for distance, heavy hammer, caber toss, sheaf toss, and weight for height.
Some of the pipe bands are the St. Andrews of Vermont Pipes and Drums (grade 5), NH Pipes and Drums (grades 4-5), North Shore Pipe Band (grade 4), Catamount (grade 5), Claddagh Mor from Portland, Maine, and Galloway Pipes and Drums.
Competitors for the 2017 Solo Piping include many entrants from grades 1-5.
“Clans are thrilled to know they are returning to their favorite games,” said Webster. “Competitors are glad to have the event on the calendar. We’re so glad to be able to continue this great Games.”
The Sutherland Clan is featured this year and its chieftain, Robert Sutherland of Marlborough, Mass., will officially open the games with massed bands and the parade of clans at noon.
Some of the nearly 25 clans being represented include Shaw, Gunn, Stewart, Johnstone, Mackintosh, Chattan, Rose, Campbell, MacLean, Davidson and MacInnes.
“The festival gives everybody a glimpse of the richness and complexity of the Scottish culture,» said Webster. «It’s not just about the colors of the beautiful tartans, but the amazing music, food, and fun activities. It’s all such an incredible tradition. We have very accomplished performers, and everyone’s so friendly. It’s a lot to take in, but we ask people to be Scottish for the day and to be proud of it.» The Vermont Championship
Sheep Dog Trial will not be held this year due to conflicts in dates of nearby trials, Webster related.
“We hope to resolve this for next year and have our sheepdogs back again,” said Webster. “We’re sorry to disappoint those hoping to watch this part of our day. We hope that you find the rest of our Games even more fun this year.”
Tickets are $15 for regular admission; $10 for seniors 65-plus; and children under 12 free. The festival takes place at the Quechee polo field. Gates close at 5 p.m.
For further information visit www.quecheegames.com.