Spokane Highland Games, August 5, 2017

[Blupiper]

I run the Piping and Drumming competitions (solo and band) at the Games. Now that it's over and my brain has returned, we had a fairly good day. In the individual events, we awarded medals in five grade levels and had winners in three levels in the pipe bands. For Grade V, the Border Highlanders of Pullman, Washington, took first, as did the Angus Scott Pipe Band (Spokane) in Grade IV and the Columbia Regional Pipe Band (Tri-Cities, Washington) in Grade III. The day was supposed to be up in the upper 90's, but we got a little cooler breeze in Friday night and it kept the temperatures in the low 90's (still plenty warm in wool and tweed.) We honored Bill Thomas as Chieftain of the Day. Bill has been a giant in the local piping scene: founding and teaching the Shadle Park High School Pipe Band (in 1958) and a similar tenure with the Angus Scott PB (ASPB). Bill passed away this last April. We supplied band members and others with lengths of tartan ribbon to wear (Flowers of the Forest tartan) and the ASBP performed a massed Lament of 'Flowers of the Forest.' Very moving. We are a smaller Games, moving toward mid-size. Check out our website ( www.spokanehighlandgames.net ) or our Facebook page. We always have the Piping & Drumming competitions, Heavy Athletics, dancing (Highland and country), the Tug of War, "heilan' coos," a Burns Poetry slam, kid's events and more. If I can figure out how to post pictures (post-Photobucket), I'll make an attempt. Only 361 days until next year's Games!


JMB