Hola all,
This summer the Executive Team here at the U were lucky
enough to experience the 150th anniversary of the Antigonish
Highland Games! What are the Highland
Games? WELL:
The Antigonish Highland Games
began in 1863 and consists of a variety of Scottish and Celtic inspired events
to celebrate lovely Antigonish culture and history! In the late 1860’s, when
the 78th Highlanders were garrisoning at the Citadel in Halifax,
they travelled to Antigonish to take part in the Highland Games. They took the
train to New Glasgow, and then marched through the woods with wagons to get to
Antigonish! They were the first ever pipe band to participate in the events,
which is one of the reasons why pipe bands and players are so common throughout
the Nish all week!
There were tons of unreal competitions on the weekend of the
Games, and some of us had the chance to cheer our own buddies on in events such
as the Elite Mile competition, the Highland Dance competition and the Tug of
War. Other competitions such as the Scottish Heavy Events and the Farmers Walk
were super entertaining and really demonstrated the old-fashioned Scottish
culture that IS the Highland Games!
Other events that were more casual included the “Stroll the
Main Sidewalk Fair” – which most of our team attended. This included a variety
of booths demonstrating different services and talents throughout the Nish as
well as a DOG FASHION SHOW where your Exec team got a backstage seat!!! There
was also the Grand Street Parade, which kicked off all of the weekend field
events and competitions! Just wonderful.
For most of our team, however, the most exciting part of the
week were the more bumpin’ events such as the Fourth Well and Party Boots shows
at the Pub and the Signal Hill (a StFX favourite) show at the party tent the
final Saturday of the Games!
It was so awesome seeing so many new faces as the town
filled up with crowds of people who came together in kilts and Scottish gear
for a week of BEAUTIFUL weather and unreal celebrations! It was nothing short
of an amazing experience, and we are definitely hoping to come back one summer
to take on a second round of a jam-packed week of fun and Celtic spirit!
IONTACH AMANNA!
- Taylor M.
http://www.antigonishhighlandgames.ca
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