Pics of the Western Mass. highland games

[JRB]

Yesterday my wife and I attended the Western Mass. highland games in Greenfield, MA. It was a picture perfect day in the low 70s bit with apron clutching gusts for most of the morning. Alas, I met no X-Markers there but I did have a good time. Sorry if the pics are rather generic.



Opening ceremonies and calling of the clans:







The pipe and drum bands wandered throughout the grounds all day:



The bonnie knees contest in the clan village (I didn't even try for this):



The requisite heavy games were entertaining:



There were also hearding and frisbee demonstrations:





After the games we retired to the sublime People's Pint for supper and brews.:

Ten minutes after this shot the place was SRO. I saw a couple people in the pub wearing kilts. I believe the gentleman in the photo is wearing black watch.

Anyway, it was a good day and I hope to meet some of you there next year.

[McMurdo]

Nice pictures thanks for posting them, glad you had a good time.

[oldsoldier]

I was up there all day as well. Excellent time...I didnt meet anyone from XMTS either...BUT, I ran into an old army buddy I havent seen since like 92. He plays for the Berkshire Highlanders, who took 3rd in the grade 5 pipes contest. So, I ended up spending most of the day hanging out with him & his band. Was a great day, and JRB, if you dont mind, I'd like to post the pics I have in this thread (as soon as I upload em).

[JRB]

..JRB, if you dont mind, I'd like to post the pics I have in this thread (as soon as I upload em).

Please do. Maybe they'll be more exciting than mine. I wasn't thrilled with the pics I took but the games were fun.

[Splash_4]

That did look like a fun day. I am killing myself so far as there have been three highland games within driving distance this year and I have not yet made any of them.

[oldsoldier]

Ok, as promised, a few more pics:

Woman's weight toss

Highland dance competition-this went on all day!

the littlest drummer boy-he was only 7, and a great drummer..his roll was near perfect!!

all the bands lining up on the parade field for the opening cermonies.

All the bands during opening cermonies

Hammer throw

Quabog pipes & drums-the host band for the games.

Caber action shot!

My friends band, my buddy is the bass drummer in the middle. They took 3rd

Now, THATS alot of musicians!!!

[Kilted-Marine]

how many folks turned out for this?.. I am wondering becuase we are looking at what shows we want to do next year

[oldsoldier]

Quite a few. Clans alone ran about 25-30. Your general public, at a guess, for the whole day, a couple thousand, perhaps? Greenfield doesnt have a whole lot going on around it, so an event like this, on such a gorgeous day, will draw alot of folks.
There's bigger ones...PM me if you like..I dont wanna hijack this thread.

[Richland]

Jay,
I'm the guy in the way back of your photo, at the Peoples Pint. Short story: I was not kilted. Why you ask? Long story......
Sorry for not Approachig, and asking if you are an x marks man.
Well i did see a few kilted gents at the Pub. but alas.... i was not willing to approach all of them and ask the X marks affiliation. Had I drank a few more pints i might have...
I do remember seeing you, as you were sitting in the spot the photo was taken..
The Peoples pint is a great bar, and the chicken wings were really good!
We need to devise a "Sign" so X markers recognise each other at kilt heavy events. I dont wear an x marks t shirt..
something like fingers crossed resting on ones temple.... Had i given "the sign" you may have noticed, and all would have worked out.....
Maybe I will do a seperate thread on "The Sign"

[emolas]

Nice pics, much better than mine so I won't bother adding them. I just want to add one of myself and 4 of the 5 kids. The fifth didn't want to join the parade so she was taking the picture.