Tartan Day in the U.S.of A

[macwilkin]

It's good that the St. Andrew's Societies have celebrations but I wonder if the average person feels that Tartan Day is limited to members of the Societies.

Love to see a campaign of historical information about the influence of the Scots in the framing of the American Democracy and Scottish Americans of note. It should probably be Tartan MONTH rather than Day.

Best

AA

The majority of the programs presented on Tartan Day are open the public, and in the case of some, such as the Missouri Tartan Day parade in St. Charles, the public cannot help but take notice of the occasion, since the parade goes up historic Main Street! Other groups send volunteers into the schools and to community organizations to speak on the holiday and its significance.

And many groups do sponsor programs that highlight many of the themes that you mention, especially the Scottish-American connection.

I should point out, though, that St. Andrew's/Scottish societies are overwhelmingly all volunteer organizations (save larger ones like in Chicago, NY and DC) and can only do so much. And even then, the news media doesn't always print press releases, etc. -- I am the Public Information Officer for our society, and the local fishwrap is very inconsistent in publishing our information -- and I was a journalism minor in university, and had classes on how to write press releases. Thankfully we have a connection inside the newspaper now.

We can always use more volunteers, AA -- I'm sure the St. Andrew's Society of Illinois could find a job for you!

T.

[auld argonian]

When I suggest putting out historical information, I guess that I'm thinking in terms of little television spots like those that we here get in Black History Month and Hispanic History Month. I know that these amount to "sound bites" but they would just put a little bit more information out in the public's way. Tartan Day gets very little coverage in Chicago...it gets lost in the crowd of ethnic "days" here in a city that has just about everything except "Canadian Day"...

We recently ran a month celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Louis Sullivan through the City Council.

Best

AA

[Kilted KT]

I'm working quite hard to promote tartan day, and will be more than happy to help anyone else who needs ideas/help promoting their tartan day celebrations!

[Cawdorian]

[quote=cajunscot;305150]Atlanta has a fairly active Scottish community, including the Atlanta St. Andrew's Society, a Burns Club and even a replica of Robert Burns's cottage.

http://www.standrewsatlanta.org/

The St. Andrew's Society of Atlanta does indeed celebrate National Tartan Day. Click on the above link and look at the section called "Scottish Community Events".

[sirdaniel1975]

Those that know and care, take part in whatever way they are able. It is a holiday, but not one of the holiday's where schools, banks, & post offices close. And the media coverage is short at best, so the effect is most don't even know of it's existance.

However, there are cities that celebrate.. Like NY, here in Franklin, NC, etc.. and some of the cities mentioned above in other posts.

Unfortunately, it's not a big enough holiday where the masses are capable of having the day off from work in order to participate in the fashion as to what is truly needed.

Then there are the employers who would send employees home for wearing a kilt to work on Tartan Day, because they wouldn't recognize it as an actual holiday.

So, there is still alot that needs to be done... People like us, clan Societies, and other Scottish societies are the major participants. It's just going to take time, and we all have to be both patient and persistent.

[Andrew Green]

Is there a Seattle St.Andrew's Society? I might have to look into that... if nothing else, I am sure that it would be a great source of information. I don't know whether the Seattle area does any kind of parade...another thing I will have to look into. I've known about Tartan Day, but have never been involved personally, because I have not found others to be involved with (hey it helps).

[Bill]

I plan to write an open letter to the Editor of our local newspaper concerning Tartan Day its' origin and purpose and encourage folks to observe the day.

BTW I just noticed that Tartan Day falls on Good Friday this coming year due to an early Easter date. I'm thinking that is going to cause some problems as far as celebrations are concerned but not with the wearn' O' the Tartan. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Bill

[Bob C]

There certainly are celebrations, but I think it's fair to say it's still a VERY minor holiday. Compare it to St. Patrick's Day, for reference.

Those of us on this messageboard are hardly a representative cross-section of the American public. We're mostly decended from Celts. Those who are not Celtic are constantly exposed to Celtic culture by those of us who are.

[macwilkin]

I plan to write an open letter to the Editor of our local newspaper concerning Tartan Day its' origin and purpose and encourage folks to observe the day.

BTW I just noticed that Tartan Day falls on Good Friday this coming year due to an early Easter date. I'm thinking that is going to cause some problems as far as celebrations are concerned but not with the wearn' O' the Tartan. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Bill

Many groups observe the holiday on the weekend before or after the 6th.

T.

[macwilkin]

Is there a Seattle St.Andrew's Society? I might have to look into that... if nothing else, I am sure that it would be a great source of information. I don't know whether the Seattle area does any kind of parade...another thing I will have to look into. I've known about Tartan Day, but have never been involved personally, because I have not found others to be involved with (hey it helps).

http://www.caledonians.com/ -- The Caledonian & St. Andrew's Society of Seattle.

http://www.tartanday-wa.org/ -- Washington State Tartan Day Celebrations

Regards,

Todd