Saturday, Aug. 24—QUECHEE— A fun-filled day of competitions, clans, vendors, food and entertainment will be held during The celebration of tradition Scottish Games at the Quechee Polo Field, Quechee Main Street, Saturday. Step onto the field and experience decades of timeless tradition. Immerse yourself in the vibrant essence of Scots culture as clans encircle the main field, Highland dancers gracefully take the stage, and the sound of the pipes fill the air from all directions. Join in for an unforgettable celebration of Scottish heritage, where generations unite to create cherished memories.
Quechee Scottish Games and Festival has been going on for 48 years in various forms. From its humble beginnings, this event has evolved over the years into a wonderful authentic and traditional Highland Games experience. Scottish Arts is a nonprofit and has been putting on events since 1984. Primarily a teaching focus, the organization also provides students with kilts and bagpipes to borrow as well as performing throughout New England.
Entertainment
Performers this year are Jamie Laval, internationally renowned Scots fiddler and guitarist, Eamon Sefton In addition to concerts, fiddle workshop, music sessions and a ceilidh all led by Jamie, famed accordionist Alex Cumming will host a kids ceilidh. There will also be an instrument “petting zoo” with Vermont Folklife and Young Tradition Vermont. Musicians from several of the organizations at the Quechee Scottish Games and Festival are invited to join in the sessions.
Schedule of events
- 8 a.m. at the South Field: Solo Piping Competition
- 8:30 a.m. at the Northwest Field. Competition begins for our athletic competitors.
- 9-9:30 a.m. at the Northeast Corner. Competitions begin for the highland dancing.
- 10:30 a.m. at The Hill. Sheepdog Demonstration by Liz Shaw of Morse Brook Farms with her dogs Poe and Cap.
- 11 a.m.-Noon at the Entertainment Tent. Live music by The Rebel Collective with their own booze-soaked style.
- Noon at the Main Field. Parade of Clans led on by this year‘s duty band, New Hampshire Pipes and Drums!
- 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Entertainment Tent. Live music by The Lissa Schneckenburger Trio.
- 1:30-2:30 p.m at the Entertainment Tent. Live music by The Rebel Collective with their own booze-soaked style.
- 2 p.m. at the Main Field. Pipe Band Competiton begins!
- 2:30 p.m. at The Entertainment Tent: jam session, grab your fiddle or guitar, bodhran, or even small pipes and join in.
- 3:15 p.m. at the Entertainment Tent. Live music by The Rebel Collective with their own booze-soaked style.
- 4 p.m. at the Main Field. Massed Bands – Closing Ceremonies. Watch as the bands parade a final time into the main field to wrap up the games and the overall winners are awarded their trophies!
Clan heritage
The clans are at the very heart of what it is to be Scottish. They are the guardians of our culture. They deepen our understanding of, and connection to, Scots roots. They are not-for-profit organizations, so memberships go straight to work in preserving your unique Clan heritage for generations to come.
Organizers have announced that the honored clan for Quechee Games 2024 is Clan Cumming. Also joining the Gathering of the Clans this year are: Campbell, MacDougall, MacDowell, Buchanan, MacBean, MacAlister, Montgomery, MacLachlan, Buchan, Gunn, Thom(p)son, Fraser, Farquharson, Donnachaidh, Gordon, Graham, Hamilton, MacGillivray, Chattan representing: Mackintosh, MacPherson, Shaw, MacPhail, Davidson, MacQueen, MacThomas, Maclean of the North, MacIntyre (Badenoch), Donald, MacEwen, Lockhart, Cochrane, Ross, MacNeil, Maclean.
On-site general admission will be available at $25. Children 12 and under are free.
For more information, visit: QuecheeGames.org.
Quechee Scottish Games and Festival celebrates tradition with competitions, clans, vendors, food, and entertainment, featuring performances by Jamie Laval, Eamon Sefton, and Alex Cumming, and Rebel Collective.
