October Recap
Wow where has October gone? I keep telling myself I’ll update the blog tomorrow and then the next thing you know it’s the end of the month. Man time flies. So how have things gone and what is coming up?
I’ll start with the Midloathian Parade first. Talk about a cold gray overcast day. I reminded me of the Mechanicsville Parade last year just not as cold although it seemed like it at certain points. Weather aside it didn’t seem to deter too many people. The parade and festival seemed to have good attendance. We got our assignment of unit 66 but were told to hang on they were going to move us up. Next thing you know we are just about the first thing in the parade behind the color guard and the Grand Marshall. We kept to two main sets Set 2 and STB/Shenandoah. Once done we had the long trek back to the start but that turned out to be a pretty cool trek as the crowd was very appreciative and let us know they enjoyed us, wanted to know where we would play next and shout out their Clan affiliation. We even managed to rack up an award for best marching band. Check us and the other winners out at on the Midlothian Parades Facebook page. On a side note my family and I went to Bush Gardens for Howl O’ Scream later that day. As we were coming after the parade I wore my kilt and just changed my shoes and shirt. Take it from me if you go to Bush Gardens wearing a kilt make sure to remove you sgian dubh or you too could have eight security guards ask you about it.
Now we’ll move on to The Meadow Highland Games and Celtic Festival. (Formerly the Richmond Games) If you didn’t make it out there or didn’t make it to the State Fair either first let me say the venue is really nice. I think everyone liked the layout of the event. Were there a few issues? Yes, but they are ones I think they can and will resolve before the next one. The biggest from my point is drainage and the opening where massed band take the field.
We wisely paid attention to the weather and switched from our normal routine of full ceremonial on Saturday and work uniform on Sunday and flipped them due to the rain. The day stared with a little bad news in that Chris Fox came all the way from Syracuse to play with us and was sick and would not be playing with us on Saturday but was going to try and make it on Sunday. After getting settled in and tuned up we stared off on our first performance through the Clan tents and vendor area. After performing for the Marines we marched over to the St. Kilda tent. While there it started raining. We played on for a couple of more sets and then headed back to the tent to pull out our rain capes so of course it immediately stopped raining. Massed bands as noted above was a little weird as the field only allowed bands to enter one at a time. That needs to change as the thrill of playing in a huge band like that is half the fun of massed bands. The rest of Saturday was spent in intermittent rain showers and our other performances went fine. I managed to talk to the guys in the NYPD Emerald society pipe band. The group they had here was the competition group. When they march in a parade at home they can dress out 150 pipers. One hundred fifty pipers, that has to be a site to see. Closing ceremonies was something in and of its self. I’ve never played in that much of a downpour or played Scotland the Brave that Fast. Talk about rain the bottom literally fell out. All the bands persevered got off the field and ran for cover.
Feathered Bonnets from MacLaren Jewlers
As cloudy and rainy as it was Saturday Sunday was just as clear and sunny. Now the other big complaint about the games, the drainage for the fields was awful. Mud and ponds were everywhere. I have to hand it to the folks at the grounds they were there putting straw down and using sump pumps to try and drain some of the bigger ponds, but man was it muddy. Chris fought through his illness and joined us so with our ranks full and the dawning of the new day the drummers unveiled their new feathered bonnets. The bonnets were graciously donated by MacLaren Jewelers which is owned and operated by Katy and Larry Brydon. I have to say, whether or not you think we sound good or play well some or all of the time, you have to admit at least we looked great. There will be another blog expressing our thanks to the Brydon’s but I’d like to extend my thanks to them again. Best part of the day hands down was our last play through. We attracted quite the crowd. Drummers sported the bonnets as we would head straight to massed bands when we were done. After 4 or 5 sets we marched over to where Greater Richmond was playing and circled up with them for a few sets as well. Both bands sounded great. By the way Greater Richmond Grade 4 band won their grade while the Grade 5 band while playing really well came in third. After playing with Greater Richmond it was off to closing ceremonies and then we were done.
SALPD 2009 Meadow Highland Games
It was really cool to hear the buzz we created while playing with GRPD. Mary and Chance have worked really hard with us and I hope all our hard work is paying off for them. I know it is for us. All in all I’d say the event was successful for the first run at a new location. The vendors and food were great as usual not to mention Barley Juice and Rathkeltier. Neil Anderson will either make you not want to play the pipes or inspire you to pick them up. He does some amazing stuff and you’re either like I want to do that or there is no way it can be done better. Old friends met, new friends made, Scotch egg eaten, Irish coffee drank, and a shot or two of whiskey had along the way as well. Here’s to the 2009 Meadow Highland Games and looking forward to 2010.
Don’t forget to check us out in November at the following events:
Nov 7th – Urbana Oyster Festival
Nov 13th – Opening for Seven Nations @ Arizona Joe’s
Nov 22nd – Ashland Holiday Parade
Nov 30th – Grand Opening of MacLaren Jewelers
We look forward to seeing you all at an upcoming event and thank you all for your support.
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