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The Ohio Scottish Games are held the 4th Saturday of
June at the Lorain County Fairground in Wellington, Ohio. Established in 1977, The Ohio Scottish Games are the Premiere Games
in the area. A fun family day, full of entertainment for everyone.
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| Jack & Joan Robertson serenading passers-by. |
This year marked the 34th that the Ohio games have been in existence. Competitions in various fields included:
Highland Dancing, Athletics, Solo piping and Drum competitions, Fiddle, Harp, and the Gaelic Mod. There was the running
of the kilted mile. The continuous entertainment featured Scottish singers, musicians and dancers. Border collies
demonstrated their prowess, and highland cattle were on display. There were children's games, clan tents, many vendors
and craftors selling items to everyone's taste and pocketbook, great pipe bands and a massed band that thrilled all those
within earshot.
Everything about the games this year was just about perfect. The weather cooperated beautifully. The Friday concert
was lovely with Charlie Zahm enthralling the crowd and beautiful singing as well. It was indeed a grand presentation
. After the concert, Donne & Craig Shepperly managed to convince many folks to carry a torch for their clan or group.
Dancing, singing, and entertainment in the pavilion followed the torchlight parade.
We did our Genealogy table on Saturday and were absolutely swamped. I hope we were able to direct folks to the right
clan tables. We did our best.
The Mod banquet/ceilidh at the Oberlin Inn was as charming as ever. Frances Acar did her usual wonderful job of arranging
things. After an excellent dinner and the awards to the singers, the evening was highlighted by highland dancing, piping,
impromptu concerts on the harmonica, button box, washtub (?), bodhran, Celtic music by Mick Hurray and Anne Alexander,
various raconteurs and the spellbinding voices of Gaelic singers from here and from Scotland.
What a wonderful weekend. I'm just sorry it's over. For those of you
who missed it, I'm truly sorry, too. This was one of the best. Only one problem - it will be really tough to top
it next year. But I think I can speak for everyone when I say - we'll give it a heck of a try. Mark it on your
calendar for next year, folks. It's a great day out for an individual or a family. A must for all who have even
a wee drop of Scottish blood or an interest in the culture and sound of Scotland.
If you'd like to see a few photos taken at Wellington this year, click here.
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| Photo collage thanks to Sheila Bernes |
In 2011 the games were held the 23rd. 24th. and 25th of June. On June 25th, the Scottish American Society had a
Hospitality area there, together with a video display of Scottish photos. We also helped visitors with information
on Genealogy and directing folks to their own clan heritage.
Click here for photos taken at the 2009 games.
Mike Mihalic at the Creiff Perthshire games...
Of particular interest is the fact that the Ohio Scottish Games are now "twinned" with the Creiff Perthshire Scottish
Games (in Scotland). A recent article in the Highlander Magazine (Jan/Feb 2009 issue) featured a photo our own Mike
Mihalic (president of Ohio Scottish Games) signing a proclamation to that effect with John McWilliam, chairman of the
Creiff Highland Games. If you have the issue, check page 69.
For detailed information on the games and on the Scottish American Cultural Society of Ohio, click here.
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