Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010 by Skagit Publishing

Official Program

The Celtic Arts Foundation Presents

the 16th Annual

Supplement to the Skagit Valley Herald

July 10-11 â&#x20AC;˘ 2010

Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010 | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

On the cover: Jordan Hoyle

Table of Contents Welcome to the 2010 games!................3

Food & drink.......................................16

Schedule of Events................................4

Fiddlerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s competition..........................17

Festival Map & Information...................6

Celtic Culture Tent schedule.................18

Highland Games pipers ........................7

Music at the games.............................19

Solo pipe and drum competitors....... 8-9

Clans & List of clans....................... 20-21

Pipe bands............................................9

Chieftain of the games........................21

Highland Games dancing....................10

Highland Games volunteers................22

Dance competitors........................ 11-12

Celtic Arts Foundation.........................22

Athletic events.............................. 13-14

List of vendors.....................................23

Sheepdog trials...................................15

Scottish Country Dancing....................23

EDITOR Bev Crichfield

Cover photo Scott Terrell

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Mark Dobie

Publication Design & Layout Patricia Stowell

DISPLAY ADVERTISING MANAGER Deb Bundy

Graphic Designers Ashley Crerar, Jody Hendrix,

Advertising Operations Supervisor Sarah Hickman

Erika Jennewein, Christina Poisal

Writers Marta Murvosh, Aaron Burkhalter, Tahlia Ganser,

Advertising Representatives Stephanie Fussell,

Kate Martin, Whitney Pipkin

Stephanie Harper, Leah Hines, Marcus McCoy, Kathy Schultz,

Photographers Scott Terrell, Frank Varga

Kim Streit, Paul Tinnon

goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010

Welcome to the 2010 games!

e recently asked our volunteer planning group, “For what is the Skagit Valley Highland Games and Celtic Festival best known?” A long list of descriptive words was created with some strong recurring themes: celebration, fun, familyoriented, quality, festive, music, dance, athletic events, sheepdog trials, and “men-in-kilts.” While it’s true that we focus a lot on our “Scottishness” at these Highland Games, there are elements of Irish and other Celtic cultures that we include and celebrate at this festival, as well. What you observe at Edgewater Park during the Highland Games is the culmination of months of planning on the part of a wonderful team of community volunteers, generous sponsors, and enthusiastic members of the Celtic Arts Foundation. Producing this festival is a lot of hard work and, frankly, costs a small fortune. For 16 years, we’ve brought the sights and sounds of Scotland to Skagit County in the form of the Highland Games. It has certainly been loads of fun to be part of growing this event, but most rewarding is knowing how much people around the community, region and even across international borders look forward to the Skagit Valley Highland Games! On behalf of our Board of Directors, our volunteers and sponsors, thank you for your continued enthusiastic support of the Skagit Valley Highland Games and Celtic Arts Foundation. We look forward to a terrific weekend and all manner of Celtic fun for years to come! Skye K. Richendrfer Founder and Executive Director, Celtic Arts Foundation

Celtic Arts Foundation PO Box 1342 Mount Vernon, WA 98273 360-416-4934 www.celticarts.org

2010 Board of Directors David J. Ryberg, President Marilyn McLean, Vice President Scott Peterson, Treasurer James Monroe, PhD, Secretary Tyrone Heade, Board Member Jill Hilde, Board Member Jan Gould, CPA, Board Member

Emeritus board members William J. Toomey, CPA Mary Scott Judge John M. Meyer Melissa Chittenden G. Michael Riedel

Staff Skye K. Richendrfer, Founder and Executive Director Michele Norman, Program and Administrative Assistant

Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010 | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

Schedule of Events * Please note: Times listed are estimates and reflect the approximate times events are planned.

FRIDAY, JULY 9 7 p.m. Free concert with the Tannahill Weavers, Edgewater Park outdoor stage.

SATURDAY, JULY 10 9 - 10:30 a.m. Highland dancing, pre-premier events 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Solo piping and drumming competition 10 a.m. to noon Northwest Regional Scottish Fiddling Championship, Fiddle Tent. 10 a.m. to 11 am. Scottish country dancers 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Northern United States Open Highland Dancing Championship 11 - 11:45 a.m. Scottish country dancing Noon to 12:30 Opening ceremonies Main Stage; Parade of Clans anthems and lament 12:30 - 2 p.m. Folk music, “Molly’s Revenge,” Main Stage 1 - 1:45 p.m. Scottish country dancing 1 - 2:45 p.m. Harpers circle 2 - 3 p.m. Scottish country dancing 2 - 4 p.m. Celtic fiddle session, Fiddle Stage 2 - 6 p.m. Sheepdog trials 2:30 - 5 p.m. Pipe band competition, Main Stage 3 - 4 p.m. Sheep to shawl demonstration, Culture Tent 3 - 5 p.m. Highland dancing choreography competition 3 - 3:45 p.m. Scottish country dancing 5 - 5:15 p.m. Massed bands 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Celtic Legends concert, “Molly’s Revenge,” Main Stage

These events continue all day:

• Scottish Culture Tent (explanation and demonstrations of Celtic music, dance and culture) • Traditional Scottish atheltic events • Children’s events (presented by the Children’s Museum of Skagit County) • Food fair • Beer garden • Scottish clan booths • Arts and crafts vendors • Celtic animal farm • Whiskys of the World Tent

SUNDAY, JULY 11 9 - 10 a.m. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 10 a.m. - noon 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 10 - 11 a.m. 12:30 - 1 p.m. 1 - 1:30 p.m. 1 - 1:45 p.m. 1 - 2 p.m. 2 - 3 p.m. 2 - 3 p.m. 2 - 3 p.m. 2 - 4 p.m. 3 - 4:30 p.m. 3 - 4 p.m. 4:30 - 4:45 p.m. 5 p.m.

Beginning Scottish fiddle workshop with Ward Beebe, Fiddle Stage Highland dancing competiton Music workshops, featuring “Molly’s Revenge” band members, Fiddle Tent Sheepdog trials Scottish country dancers Opening ceremonies, Main Stage; Parade of Clans anthems and laments Scottish Drum Corp competition, Main Stage Scottish country dancing Northwest Regional Harp Competition “Molly’s Revenge,” Celtic folk music Harpers circle Scottish country dancing Celtic fiddle session, Fiddle Stage Washington State Grade IV and Grade III Pipe Band Championships Sheep to shawl demonstration, Culture Tent Massed bands EVENT CLOSING

These events continue all day:

Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010 | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com MV TO VANCOUVER, B.C. EDGEWATER PARKING

Additional parking at Washington School

Scottish Country Dance

ST .

I-5 EXIT 226

free Shuttle Parking

TO SEATTLE

Clans Parking north of bridge only

KINCAID ST.

BN RAILROAD

Children’s events

North Gate Solo Piping & Drumming

3R D

Highland Dance

MOUNT VERNON

W. DIVISION STREET

SOUTH ED BAKER ST. GE W PA ATE RK R SK AG IT RIV ER

★

Main Stage

Arts & Crafts

CeltiC artS/ iNfo teNt

Food

SkaGit State BaNk MaiN Gate Handicapped parking only

CELTIC ARTS FOUNDATION BOOTH AND FIRST AID is located just past the main gate entrance.

Beer Garden/ Whiskys of the World

Harp Tent

• Purchase your 2010 Games

Athletics

T-shirts and hats • Lost-and-found items • Emergency personnel

Spinners & Weavers Celtic Farm & Sheepdog Trials

Culture Tent Fiddle Tent

All venue locations are approximate and are subject to change.

South Gate

Campground

2010 Skagit Valley Highland Games tickets:

One-day pass prices: $13 adults; $10 students/seniors and active military; $30 families or group of four; $7 additional family member (when purchased with family ticket); free for children 4 and younger Weekend passes: $18 adults; $14 students/seniors and active military; $40 families or group of four; $7 additional family member; free for children 4 and younger For tickets and information, visit www.celticarts.org/

Parking is free at Edgewater Park and in the downtown Skagit County parking lot,

with complimentary shuttles running at regular intervals to transport guests to the grounds from the parking lots. The shuttle runs in 20-minute intervals all weekend, starting at approximately 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday; and 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Sunday.

open Daily Year round

Fresh Flowers & exceptional GiFts! Open year round, RoozenGaarde offers unique gifts for the home and garden. We also ship our flowers anywhere in the USA overnight!

Mon. - sat. 9am-6pm sunday/holidays 11am - 4pm

www.tulips.com 15867 Beaver Marsh rd. • 360-424-8531

Canine Visitors: Dogs will be allowed at the Highland Games only if they are leashed (extend-a-leashes are not allowed). Unleashed dogs will be asked to leave immediately with their owners. Plastic bags are available at each entrance for animal waste. Please clean up after your animals. A watering station is located near the information booth. Thank you for being a responsible pet owner.

goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010

Highland Games pipers

ore than any other musical instrument, the bagpipes have been defined by competition. Just ask piping teacher Tyrone Heade of Seattle. After 16 years of full-time teaching and even more time competing in North America and Europe, Heade is still considered “amateur” class. But he’s moving up. Heade explained that piping is so difficult, even experienced players can spend years climbing the five grades of amateur-class competing before entering the open-class professional competitions. Skagit Valley Highland Games offers competitions in both. Heade said the competitive nature of bagpiping goes back centuries. In Scotland, Heade said competition is the preferred way to grow and improve at the bagpipes. “They made an active decision to have their music refined through competition as opposed to recitals. Still today, piping competitions are more numerous than piping recitals,” Heade said. “(Scotland) wanted to see it refined and rise to a very high standard, and it has.” That’s just as true at the Skagit Valley Highland Games, which veteran piper Heade said is one of his favorite Scottish festivals in the Pacific Northwest. Hundreds of pipers come out for solo and band competi-

tions throughout the weekend. Heade said he’s constantly impressed even by the youngest and least experienced players at these

competitions. “They are really working hard,” Heade said. “That little kid up there is tiny and belting a tune for all she or he is worth.” Skye Richendrfer, executive director for the Celtic Arts Foundation in Mount Vernon, said the competition highlights the technical skill required to play one of the most unusual instruments in the world. “The focus is about technical execution,” Richendrfer said. “You have an instrument that is extremely complicated at the best of circumstances to play.” Players are judged on their tone, tuning and embellishments. Richendrfer said the embellishments and grace notes are what set piping apart. Tunes are not just played straight-forward, but accented with trills and ornaments. “You can’t play the tunes if you

can’t move your fingers fast enough,” he said. Players are divided into two groups, a five-level amateur pipers group — one level is the highest, most skilled among those players — and a professional group. Heade is a level one piper — the highest level — for classical piping, called pibroch, and level two for lighter music. He hopes to improve in the next few years to join the professional pipers. He said spectators will enjoy any level of music because the instrument is so technically difficult. “These people work so hard to play their instruments well,” Heade said. “It’s just so hard to get the instrument to even work.” He said it’s not an instrument pipers play casually. “If you don’t play your guitar or piano for a month, you can probably come back and after a few minutes enjoy it,” Heade said. “You can’t do that with piping.” Most pipers start learning the instrument when they’re very young. Aaron Malcomb of Bellingham said he started learning when he was 16, which is considered late. “There’s so many things going on in terms of learning to control the instrument, learning the idiom of the music, learning the technique you need to play it,” Malcomb said. (See pipers on page 8)

Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010 | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

Solo Piping & Drumming COMPETITORS No. 500 501 502 503 504 505 506 507 508 509 509 510 511 512 513 514 515 516 517 518 520 521 522 523 524 525

Name Matt Rucker Elijah Kolmes Richard Gillies Alexander Janzen Elliot Thomson Cleda Thompson Daniel Stewart Joseph Stewart Morgan Schiele Alexander Schiele Alexander Schiele Bryce Kreger Maclain Davidson Trevor Davidson Isabella Ramsay Alistair Ramsay Chris Cahoon Peter Rolstad Liam Hilder Hunter Kern Russell Prewitt Logan Chavez Amber Stone Aaron Stone Jennifer Campbell Rick Campbell

Instrument City/State Piper Portland, OR Piper Lake Oswego, OR Piper Beaverton, OR Piper Richmond, BC Piper Seattle, WA Piper Arlington, WA Piper Seattle, WA Piper Seattle, WA Piper Snohomish, WA Piper Snohomish, WA Tenor Drummer Snohomish, WA Side Drummer Auburn, WA Side Drummer Mission, BC Piper Mission, BC Side Drummer Portland, OR Piper Portland, OR Piper Redmond, WA Piper Bellingham, WA Piper Port Coquitlam, BC Piper Lake Oswego, OR Piper La Center, WA Piper Vancouver, WA Side Drummer Auburn, WA Piper Auburn, WA Piper Keizer, OR Piper Keizer, OR

Tartan Douglas McCullough Gillies McKenzie MacDonald of the Isle Black Stewart Muted Hunting Stewart MacKenzie MacKenzie MacKenzie MacKenzie Davidson Davidson Buchanan Johnstone Wallace Ancient McLean of Duart McDonald Russell MacKenzie MacKenzie Campbell Campbell

No. 526 527 528 529 530 531 532 533 534 535 536 537 538 539 540 541 542 543 546 547 548 549 550 551 552 553

Name Tyrone Heade William Urquhart Liam Bacon Patrick Case Dan DelMain Glen Nowicki Saul Goodwin Devon Mercurio Paul Vegors Aaron Malcomb Mike Greene Scott McClure Connor MacLeod John Munroe Jonathan Robertson Fiona Senyk Eric Clarke Will Clarke Andrew MacMillan Bruce Poliak Scott Wood Tyler Wood Brendan Rome Dana Petersen Julian Walker Owen Barrington

Instrument Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Side Drummer Side Drummer Piper Piper Piper Piper Side Drummer Piper Piper Piper Piper

City/State Tartan Seattle, WA Graham of Mentieth Ketchikan, AK Urquhart Modern Beaverton, OR Beaverton, OR Ancient Paisley Portland, OR Frasier Cranbrook, BC Seattle, WA McKenzie Shoreline, WA MacKenzie Seattle, WA Mackenzie Modern Bellingham, WA Friday Harbor, WA Greene Modern Surrey, BC McLeod of Harris Chilliwack, BC Bellingham, WA Munro Delta, BC BC Centennial New Westminster, BC British Columbia Chilliwack, BC BC Centennial Chilliwack, BC Hunting Frasier Tualatin, OR Stanwood, WA MacDonald Port Coquitlam, BC Weathered Innes Port Coquitlam, BC Fox Island, WA MacKenzie Lynden, WA Ancient Fletcher Seattle, WA Keith Tacoma, WA

(Pipers continued from page 7)

He competes in the top amateur grade, but it took him 10 years to get there. Heade said most people come to watch the bands play on Saturday afternoon. But he recommended visiting the soloists in the morning to get a closer look at the technical skill involved. Everything from how the pipers squeeze their bags to their fingering is meticulous. Richendrfer said the pipes aren’t going anywhere any time soon. Even as a traditional instrument, piping has only grown in popularity, thanks in part to movies like “Braveheart” and the presence of bagpipers at formal functions, like police funerals and church services. “It is amazing how it weaves in and out of American culture,” Richendrfer said.

goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010

Solo Piping & Drumming COMPETITORS No. 554 555 557 558 559 560 562 563 564 565

Name Collin Kortschak Will Woodson Peter Moran Megan McCrea Katrina Jones Matt Alger Brian McKenzie Jack Toohey Ian Toohey Darlene Lewis-Chinn

Instrument Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper Piper

City/State Surrey, BC Portland, OR Olympia, WA Woodinville, WA Seattle, WA Marysville, WA Seattle, WA Newberg, OR Newberg, OR Issaquah, WA

Tartan Black Watch Wallace Green MacKenzie MacKenzie McKenzie Muted MacKenzie

No. 566 567 568 569 570 571 572 573 575 576

Name Marcus De Vight Jack De Vight Garrett Bancroft Peter North Graham Young Robert Graham Jr. Caleb Vanderveen Jacob Vanderveen Chelsea Archibald Helen Sanders

Instrument Piper Side Drummer Side Drummer Piper Side Drummer Side Drummer Piper Piper Piper Piper

City/State Mukilteo, WA Mukilteo, WA Troutdale, OR Seattle, WA Federal Way, WA Lynnwood, WA Mission, BC Mission, BC Burnaby, BC Lopez Island, WA

Tartan McKenzie Muted Red Frasier MacKenzie MacKenzie BC Tartan BC Tartan MacPherson Keith

Pipe bands

The Celtic Arts

Band Name Dowco Triumph Street PB New Westminster Police PB Portland Metro Pipe Band Washington Scottish P.B. Greighlan Crossing Pipe Band Keith Highlanders Gr. 4 P.B. Portland Metro Youth Pipe Band White Spot Grade 4 P.B. Northwest Jr. Pipe Band Fraser Valley Youth Pipe Band White Spot Grade 5 P.B.

Grade Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 4 Grade 4 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 5

City/state Pt. Coquitlam, BC Surrey, BC Beaverton, OR Seattle, WA Maple Ridge, BC Bellevue, WA Portland, OR Maple Ridge, BC Seattle, WA Chilliwack, BC Maple Ridge, BC

Tartan worn MacLean of Duart Weathered Ancient Weathered MacPherson Muted Red Frasier Royal Stewart Sutherland Old Weathered Keith Muted Red Frasier British columbia Continental MacKenzie McDougall British Columbia Continental

Foundation is always looking for volunteers.

Kenmore & District Pipe Band

Applications are

Everett, WA

on the website, www.CelticArts.org or call 360-416-4934 to request an application. Thank you! Playing Well Together While Having Fun See our website for more info: www.kdpipeband.com Email: info@kdpipeband.com

Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010 | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

Highland Games Dancing

ordan Hoyle remembers when she first fell in love with Highland dancing. The 12-year-old was 6 when she saw the traditional Scottish folk dancers adorned in plaid kilts and garb hopping and toe-tapping to bagpipes at the Skagit Valley Highland Games. “I remember that I really liked it,” Hoyle said. Plus, she added, “I love plaid.” A year later, Hoyle finally convinced her mother to begin Highland dancing lessons, which she still attends in downtown Mount Vernon. Since then she’s competed in five Highland Games dance competitions at the annual Skagit Valley Highland Games. She also travels to other competitions around the country. This year, Hoyle will join about 150 dancers at the games for the Northern U.S. Highland Dancing Championship July 10 and 11. The championship attracts dance competitors from across the United States, Canada and even overseas. The dancers range in age from 4 years old to adults. Highland dancing is an integral part of the games, complementing the bagpipers and athletics. It is believed to have originated in the Highlands of Scotland around the 11th century. The fling and sword dances are just two of the traditional folk dances that will be performed at the festival during the competition. The Highland fling originally was performed by a warrior on his light

shield after battle. Accordingly, it is danced in one spot. The steps are simple, but must be executed precisely, with positions being strongly held. The sword dance was performed by the Highland warrior on the eve of battle using the warrior’s sword and scabbard. The sword and scabbard are crossed on the ground to define the dancing spot. According to legend, the warriors who were able to perform the dance without touching the sword with their feet were successful in the approaching battle. Heather Richendrfer, the organizer of the dance competition, has taught Highland dancing for the past 36 years. She teaches the art in Bellingham, Everett and Mount Vernon. Hoyle is one of her students. Richendrfer says the art of Highland dancing has “become an elite competitive dance sport.” She hopes the competition in Mount Vernon educates the public about Highland dancing. “It’s lively, energetic, graceful and you can really do great things with it,” she said. “It’s so unique.” She said it also is a “wonderful alternative” to the more mainstream dance forms, like ballet. Hoyle said she would much rather participate in Highland dancing than sports.

“I’m not really good at things like that,” she said. Highland dancing is where she shines. “It’s just really fun and I get to be with my friends and show people how good I can dance,” she said.

goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010

Dance Competitors 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125

Victoria McGowan Alexa McGowan Rebecca Moore Rory Flinn Victoria Hayes Katie McLeod Meghan Palmer Erin Swanson Emily Dietrich Tessa Haggerty Mikaela Farnsworth Janissa Doerscher Stephanie Conway Anchi Becker Julia Rutherford Abby Hendrix Brooke Baker Sarah Barnard Derrick Fraser Nicole Hehn Jennelle McClure Becca Crawford Angela Grant Rosie Tate Autumn Johansen

Bellingham, WA Bellingham, WA Bellingham, WA Lake Stevens, WA La Conner, WA Spokane, WA Spokane, WA Monrovia, CA Woodinville, WA Bellingham, WA Kamloops, B.C. Everett, WA Bothell, WA Eildon Bellingham, WA Surrey, B.C. Mount Vernon, WA Surrey, B.C. Langley, B.C. Richmond, B.C. Snohomish, WA Surrey, B.C. Bothell, WA Delta, B.C. Mount Vernon, WA Bellingham, WA

Dress Stewart Dress Stewart Dress Royal McKellar Special Dress McLeod Dress Scott Dress Royal Cunningham Dress Lorne Ship Hector Fyvie Magenta Dress Red Crieff

Turquoise Lennox

Dress Royal MacPherson Red Menzies

Wine McRae Dress Royal Menzies

126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 dry 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148

Haley Warzel Sarah Peitsch-Tyerman Heather MacFarlane Emma Lee Conway, WA Audrey Curran Ashleigh Kent Katherine Kent Anne Fields Emily Fields Hannah Focken Jennifer Van Aller Kourt Bacon

Langley, B.C. Burnaby, B.C. Marysville, WA Renton, WA Surrey, B.C. Surrey, B.C. Spokane, WA Spokane, WA Burnaby, B.C. Oliver, B.C. Beaverton, OR

Dress Blue Wallace Erskine Muted Stewart

Zoe Peterson Cora Peterson Hannah Overton Nathalie Middleton Stephanie Hays Bethany Hermann Amy Spens Adrian Cunningham Savannah Ferron Hilary McKinney Annika Szarka

Bellingham, WA Bellingham, WA Stanwood, WA Kelowna, B.C. Renton, WA Olympia, WA Issaquah, WA Portland, OR Bellingham, WA Portland, OR Fort Langley, B.C.

Purple Scott Red Scott

Dress Red Lennox Dress Pruple MacRae

Royal Dress Menzies Dress Blue McRae Turquoise Dress Longnid-

Dress Red Menzies Dress Red Menzies Wine Sutherland Blue Cunningham Blue MacGregor Dress Red MacKellar Red Lennox

see Dance Competitors on page 12

Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010 | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

Dance Competitors

149 Julia Szarka 150 Victoria Hawk 151 Marisa Kerkvliet 152 Shannon Stratychuk 153 Tasha Ghent 154 Liana Phillips 155 Emma Dickson 156 Maia Mencucci 157 Danielle Pace 158 Nicole Pace 159 Jordan Hoyle 160 Katherine Rose 161 Christine Willand 162 Melissa Bishop 163 Heather-Lynn Kirk 164 Esther Pollock 165 Hannah Pollock 166 Madison Rattai 167 Rebecca Kyer 168 Emma Clark 169 Charlotte Gilmour 170 Hayley Shaddox 171 Samantha Beach 172 Olivia Verity-Kryger 173 Emma Finlayson 174 Callie Eliades 175 Jaime Dronsella 176 Piper Dunn 177 Hailey Carpenter 178 Aiyanna Whitewolf

Fort Langley, B.C. Bellingham, WA Bellingham, WA Surrey, B.C. Port Coquitlam, B.C. Bellingham, WA Richmond, B.C. Arlington, WA Mount Vernon, WA Mount Vernon, WA Mount Vernon, WA Bellingham, WA Bellingham, WA Bellingham, WA Tumwater, WA Tacoma, WA Tacoma, WA Langley, B.C. Tacoma, WA Lake Stevens, WA Lower Nicola, B.C. Fall City, WA Nanaimo, B.C. Langley, B.C. Trick Vancouver, B.C. Langley, B.C. Burnaby, B.C. Ferndale, WA Bellingham, WA Seattle, WA

Purple Menzies Dress Stewart Dress Turquoise Scott Stewart Dress Menzies Turquoise Lennox Dress Rose Ship Hector Lord Arran Dress Modern McDonald Dress Royal Cunningham Dress Pride of Scotland Burgundy Longniddry Green Longniddry Dress Blue McPherson Dress Green Menzies Purple Menzies Royal Milne Royal Cunningham

(continued from page 11)

179 Kestrel Whitewolf 180 Alicia Morgan 181 Emily Stevens 182 Drew Stevens 183 Kristin Ramsey 184 Wanling Kratzman 185 Autumn Lewis 186 Josiah Puderbaugh 187 Duncan Stewardson 188 Nicole Potter 189 Dillon-James Warcup 190 Nicolas Warcup-Scott 191 Kathryn Warcup 192 Erin Roberts 193 Cameron Johnston 194 Steven MacRae 195 Cortnie Babinski 196 Shaleigh Reusch 197 Cayley Stewart 198 Clare Murphy 199 Andrena Hilder

Seattle, WA Mount Vernon, WA Mount Vernon, WA Mount Vernon, WA Mount Vernon, WA Bow, WA Bellingham, WA Lynden, WA Ferndale, WA Burnaby, B.C. Surrey, B.C. Hamilton Surry, B.C. Hamilton Surrey, B.C. Pink Dress Oliver New Westminster, B.C. Vancouver, B.C. Seattle, WA Spokane, WA Surrey, B.C. Richmond, B.C. Purple Cunningham Surrey, B.C. Ferguson Port Coquitlam, B.C.

2010 Skagit Valley Highland Games Dance Judges & Dance Pipers for Program Judges

Hometown

James McCorkindale Cambeltown, Scotland Patricia MacKenzie Port Alberni, B.C. Allison Moore Surrey, B.C.

Pipers

Hometown

Phil MacKenzie Rob Paterson

Port Alberni, B.C. Victoria, B.C.

goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010

Highland Games Athletic Events “Your biggest challenger can also be your best friend,” said Ham, who competed in Scottish athletic games from 1984 to 2000. “Everybody helps each other out.” Ham, now 61, said age caught up to him and he’s no longer able to compete as he used to. “Things started getting really heavy and things started breaking,” he said. But rather than quit the sport altogether, he’s turned to judging events throughout the region. Ham will be a judge at the Skagit Valley Highland Games in July. Ham was originally drawn to Highland athletics after hearing bagpipe music from a nearby high school when he was in the Portland area. “I was walking by and here are these guys with big hammers and stones,” he said. But it would be two more years before he actually started to comAs a former high school track For two days in July, athletes pete. athlete, Ham said he had talent for will don kilts, puff out their the games. Ham eventually claimed three chests and heft stones and logs Northwest Master Champion titles, which means he was the overall during the 16th annual Skagit winner for three different games. Valley Highland Games. Competitors strive for high scores While visitors peruse vendors and in the events that include hammer watch sheepdog trials and dancing, throws, stone throws and the caber toss. they also can check out displays of “They are all maximum effort strength, precision and bravado. events,” Ham said. Many traditional Highland athHam, a sanctioned judge with letic events have no practical use, the Scottish Athletic Association of but are played purely for competiAmerica, said the rules of the games tion and camaraderie, said former haven’t changed much — if at all competitor and judge Bob Ham of — since he started competing. Alger.

“The caliber of athletes has gotten way better,” he said. “When I first started, a bunch of guys got together because their daughters were dancing. ‘What are we going to do? Well, we’ll throw these weights around.’” Today, the games are better organized and the athletes are bettertrained, he said. “It’s serious competition,” Ham said. Expect to see Ham on the field, wearing a yellow judge’s shirt and a bright-patterned kilt. Novices can compete in events, too, said Sue Gregg, who is organizing the athletic events for the Celtic Arts Foundation, the nonprofit group that organizes the games. Gregg said several events will be held at once on the field at Edgewater Park in Mount Vernon. Many events originated for practical uses, like being able to lift heavy stones to build a bridge to cross a river, or to toss wheat on top of a roof to thatch it. So far, 20 athletes have signed up for this year’s games. During the last athletic event, Gregg said competitors are challenged to carry a keg filled with river sand, weighing about 260 pounds, as far as they can. Ham said he likes to think of himself as a fair and helpful judge. Wayward novices can expect to hear a piece of friendly advice from Ham. “Everybody shares and encourages the next guy,” he said of the athletes. “And the crowd picks up on that. There’s great competition, but also great sportsmanship.”

Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010 | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

Athletic events The events include several divisions: Amateur class A and B, Masters class A and B (for people ages 40 and older) and novice. Each class uses different weights. If too few people decide to compete in the event, it may be dropped. And this is a Highland games, so, of course, all competitors must wear kilts!

sheaf toss

• Light stone — A small rock weighing 17 or 26 pounds, depending on class. The goal is to throw the rock for a long distance. The best of three throws, which may be done in any manner, counts toward the competitor’s score.

• 56-pound weight for height — Athletes heft a cylinder-shaped weight over their heads and over a crossbar. The weight must be thrown one-handed. • 56-pound weight for distance — Athletes throw a weight onehanded, often using a twirling motion to build up momentum. • 28-pound weight for distance — This event uses the same rules as the 56-pound weight for distance.

Weight-over-bar

• Sheaf toss — Using a pitchfork, competitors try to heft a burlap bag filled with straw over a crossbar. The sheaf typically weighs 12, 16 or 20 pounds depending on athletic class. open stone toss caber toss

• Braemar stone — Competitors throw a large rock weighing more than 50 pounds for distance. The Braemar stone must be thrown from a standing position. This event is often dropped because too few people sign up to compete. • Heavy hammer — The hammer, • 16-pound hammer — Competitors are allowed the best of three a stone with an attached wooden handle, is thrown for distance. Ham- throws. The farthest throw wins. mers weigh 12, 16 and 22 pounds.

• Caber toss — Competitors pick up the small end of a large pole and then run and throw it, with the object of making the pole land on the heavy end and then have the light end point toward the direction of travel. — Sources: Sue Gregg, Celtic Arts Foundation, and the North American Scottish Games Athletics website, www.nasgaweb.com/main.asp.

goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010

Watch the sheepdog trials 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, July 10 & 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

he strategy of the sheepdog is complex. Hundreds of years of breeding and careful training have produced the perfect herding tool — a furry, eagle-eyed, tireless ranger that made keeping animals in the vast Scottish highlands possible. Watching a Border Collie or other herding breed bring a herd of sheep home can be fascinating, and probably what’s made the sheepdog trials one of the most popular events at the annual Skagit Valley Highland Games, said Dawn Pucci, trial organizer. Crowds will gather around the sheepdog trial arena at Edgewater Park to watch as 30 dogs and 18 handlers try to wrangle three-to-five sheep between gaps in boards and finally into a holding pen within the allotted 4 1/2 minutes. “It’s like a show-jumping course for horses, but instead of jumping over the fences, they’re pushing sheep through gaps in fences to mimic the real-life work of gathering your sheep out of the field,” Pucci explained of the arena-style dog competition. The dogs respond to gestures and demands from the handlers to move the sheep around the field and through the obstacles to the gate, Pucci said. The handlers aren’t allowed to touch the sheep at all — it’s completely up the dogs. No nipping, of course. The only way a dog can be disqualified from the competition is if it nips or bites the sheep, said Lisa Coder, co-coor-

dinator of the animal farm, which includes the sheepdog trials. “There are a certain amount of mistakes allowed, but one of the hard and fast rules is that the dogs can’t nip the sheep,” Coder said.

Pucci stumbled into dog handling after getting a Border Collie in Scotland where her Navy husband was stationed 12 years ago. She brought her dog to Florida when she and her husband moved there. A friend who handled dogs for a hobby asked Pucci if she thought her Border Collie would enjoy running after some sheep. Turns out, her dog, Ceile, did. And, as a coincidence, Pucci enjoyed working with her dog in the fields, and hanging out with the sheep. Eventually, Pucci found herself becoming more involved with learning to handle her dog. She began to compete and would often drive three hours one way just so her dog The sheepdog trials kick off at 2 could practice herding different p.m. Saturday and continue for the kinds of sheep. second round all day Sunday. She and her husband moved Each dog/handler team competes to Washington state in 2000. She on Saturday and Sunday. Organizbegan organizing the sheepdog trials ers change the course slightly for for the Highland Games eight years Sunday’s trials. The dogs are judged ago. by time and points, Pucci said. “I love the sheep,” she said. “I Once all the teams have compet- love the partnership and worked, all the scores are added up and ing with the dog that’s a thinking the 10 teams with the highest scores animal.” compete in the final round. FirstAlong with the sheepdog trials, place winners take home $600 — a other animal events at the Highnice-sized purse. Another $1,800 is land Games include the display distributed to subsequent winners. of Highland cattle from Hemlock As a longtime dog handler, Pucci Highlands of Sedro-Woolley; an said it’s the connection between adoption station with dogs and cats dog and handler that people enjoy set up by the animal rescue and watching — and that keeps hanadoption organization Saving Pets dlers driving sometimes thousands One At a Time (SPOT); and pony of miles each year to compete with rides by Lang’s Horse and Pony Farm their dogs at various events. of Mount Vernon.

Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010 | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

Food & drink at the games Meat Pie, Whisky Tasting & More

has offered a range of drinks to taste at its whisky garden intended to educate adults about the blends coming from Scotland. The samplings are led by a “master of whisky” from Diageo, the largest spirits Skye Richendrfer, company in the world. executive director The host will walk of the Celtic Arts tasters through details Foundation, said of the distilling propeople have come to cess and discuss the folks.” expect a certain fare difference between single malt and The meat pie, sold by a vendor at the Highland Games, including blended scotches. traditional Scottish and festival-type who makes his way from Southern Richendrfer said the event has California to similar festivals around foods. been a huge success since its inducthe country, really sums it up. The That means everything from tion. doughnuts and hamburgers to haggis savory pie often features cuts of beef, “A lot of people have favorites or sausage rolls, a Scottish peasant food steak or mutton folded into a flaky are just curious about what different crust. that combines a variety of meats whiskys taste like,” he said. And to wash it all down are the with oatmeal for texture. The introductory level with five ever-popular whisky samplings, “They make fun of the Scots tastings costs $8 and the “whiskys of which will run throughout the day for eating like the Scandinavians,” the world,” with eight tastings, costs said Richendrfer, who described the on Saturday and Sunday. $15. Each includes sample-sized porThis is the fourth year the festival Scottish as “basic meat-and-potato tions of the drinks. For those who can’t seem to find their way to — or from — the whisky garden, there’s an informational tent at the festival with volunteers to point folks in the right direction. People can find souvenirs, such as T-shirts and CDs, at the tent or offered at the become members of the Celtic Arts Foundation. Seattle Drum School of music And although those souvenirs www.seattledrumschool.com don’t include kilts, there are other vendors at the festival selling comcall 206.364.8815 and ask to talk to Steve Smith plete sets of Scottish outfits.

Your annual meat pie — with a side of whisky — is on its way at this year’s Skagit Valley Highland Games.

ScottiSh Drumming curriculum

goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010

Highland Games Fiddler’s Competition

hen it comes to Celtic traditional sound you get into the music, most people think music — does it sound Scottish of the bagpipes and enough,” Beebe said. drums. As part of the musical offerings But for good, fun country dancduring the games Saturday and ing, it’s all about the fiddles. Sunday, several open music sessions A good fiddler can stir a crowd will be offered on the fiddle stage, in and get feet tapping in a free-form which anyone with an instrument way, in taverns or outside. It’s versa- is welcome to come and play, Beebe tile and fun. said. And fiddlers are a big part of “It’s always fun to get around and the annual Skagit Valley Highland play tunes with people,” Beebe said Games, said Ward Beebe, of Oak of the open music sessions. “I just Harbor, who organizes the fiddling enjoy the friendship and the camaAnd, of course, there will be competitions and fiddle stage. raderie of it. It’s a social event.” workshops both days. The games host the Northwest Regional Scottish Fiddling Championships from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in the fiddle tent. About a dozen fiddlers from across Washington and Idaho will compete to qualify for a national fiddling competition held in September. The contestants compete in three classes: novice, junior — for ages 18 and younger — and an open division for anyone interested in competing. The novice competitors play a march, a reel and a Scottish Strathspey tune, while the other two classes add a slower tune called an “air.” A judge — an accomplished fiddler — will judge the competitors on timing, intonation, using the appropriate tempo, bowing, technical command of the instrument and “expression.” “Judges are looking for how much

Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010 | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

Celtic Culture Tent Schedule SATURDAY, July 10 10:00 a.m Welsh folksongs: Eric Bowen and His Guitar 11:00 a.m How to Research your Celtic Ancestry: Laura Sparr and members of the Skagit Genealogical Society 12:30 p.m Questions and answers about the Scottish game of Shinty: Steve Aikison and Players 1:00 p.m. Bagpipes: What to Listen for: Skye Richendrfer 2:00 p.m. Histories and Traditions of Four Scottish Clans: Campbell, MacKenzie, Munro and Sutherland

EVERYONE CAN JOIN THE FUN

Dancing with the Scots!

3:00 p.m. Open Tent time: Scottish History and Ancient / Modern Scottish Recipes

SUNDAY, July 11 10:00 a.m The Beauty of Celtic Strings and Song: Becky Fox 11:00 a.m How to Research Your Scottish Ancestry: Laura Sparr and members of the Skagit Genealogical Society 12:00 p.m Questions and answers about the Scottish game of Shinty: Steve Aikinson and Players

No Partners Needed! No Experience Necessary! Learn the social dancing of Scotland taught to irresistible, toe-tapping music. Come-as-you-are: class attire is regular street clothes.

See us at the Highland Games! Welcome Ceilidh Dance for all: Saturday, September 25, 7:00 p.m. Beginner Class: Monday, September 27, 7:00 p.m. at the Depot Arts Center, 611 R Ave., Anacortes. FIRST CLASS FREE! For more info: 360.293.2340 â&#x20AC;˘ Email: skagitscottish@yahoo.com

1:00 p.m. Bagpipes: What to Listen for: Skye Richendrfer 2:00 p.m. You are invited to attend a Celtic wedding behind the Clan Campbell tent 3:00 p.m. Open Tent time: Scottish History and Ancient / Modern Scottish Recipes

goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010

Music Offerings at the games

ficionados of Highland games know that if they want the best Celtic music, they need to hit the Main Stage of the Skagit Valley Highland Games. Musicians are carefully selected, and not just by hearing their albums — oh, no. Skye Richendrfer, Celtic Arts Foundation executive director, and Walt Enquist, who helps organized the music for the games, want to hear each group perform and watch them in front of a crowd. “I really like personally hearing the groups,” Richendrfer said. “Just because they are good studio performers doesn’t mean they will be right for our crowds.” Pleasing the crowds with the musical performance is one of the things that the Skagit Valley Highland Games is all about. That means appealing to lovers of traditional Scottish and Irish ballads and those looking to rock out to a modernized jig. “The key for us is to try to find something that scratches that traditional itch and bridges some of the different demographics,” Richendrfer said.

Friday, July 9 • 7 p.m.: Tannahill Weavers, Celtic Stage, Edgewater Park, Mount Vernon. Free.

Tannahill Weavers

The Tannahill Weavers, Scotland’s best-known, longest touring band, will kick off the weekend Friday night with a free community outreach concert that the Celtic

Tannahill Weavers

Molly’s Revenge

Arts Foundation is offering as a gift to the community. Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item that will go to Skagit County food banks. Named for the Scottish poet and weaver Robert Tannahill, (a contemporary of Robert Burns), the Tannahill Weavers are among the musicians leading the current revival of traditional Celtic music, according to the New York Times. The quartet’s repertoire includes mystical Highlander’s Celtic songs and the rollicking — even brawling — Lowland Anglo-Scots tunes.

ditional Scottish and Irish jigs and reels played on bagpipes, whistle, fiddle and vocals that are accompanied by guitar, bouzouki or mandola. It’s the nontraditional, edgy arrangements that get audiences moving in their seats, Richendrfer said. “Their piper is really good,” he said. “Their instrumentation is really lively, not traditional at all. It’s a bit more like fusion.”

Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band

Of the three featured performers, the Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band may be the most traditional. It’s also the first band outside of Saturday, July 10 Scotland to win a major World • 12:30 to 2 p.m.: Molly’s Revenge, Main Championship prize. In August, the Stage, Edgewater Park, Mount Vernon. 42-member pipe band will travel to • 5:30 p.m. Celtic Legends Concert, featuring Scotland to compete in the World Molly’s Revenge, Main Stage Championship in hopes of doing Canada proud. Sunday, July 11 The band deftly merging of pip• 2 to 3 p.m.: Molly’s Revenge, Main Stage, ers and percussion well during its Edgewater Park, Mount Vernon. performances — a difficult task, Richendrfer said. “It’s a medley of tunes and harmoMolly’s Revenge Known for its infectious onstage nies played and very full tones, add enthusiasm, the acoustic Celtic the percussion and various tempos, band Molly’s Revenge uses hardand it’s a spine tingling reaction that edged rhythms to accompany tragets to most people,” he said.

Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010 | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

clans at the games to participate in this year’s weekend event at Edgewater Park. They’ll set up their own tents and offer information about the various Scottish clans. Some of them are more involved than others, and bring historical memorabilia, old books, and sometimes some surprises, like an old sword, Monroe said. Celebrating the clans — large family groups or tribes with Scottish or Celtic ancestry — is a big part of the Skagit Highland games, Monroe said. They’re honored during the Parade of Clans at Noon on Saturday and Sunday, June 10 and 11, in which the clans, decked out in their tartans, kilts and other tradirowing up, Mount Vernon resident Jim Monroe would tional Scottish garb and carrying hear friends bragging about their colors, stroll onto the grounds accompanied by the sounds of drums their ancestory. and bagpipes. “My grandparents were from And the Chieftain of the Games France.” for this year, Bill Toomey, will be “Mine were from Germany.” officially introduced. But it wasn’t until he was in The term Clan comes from a graduate school that Monroe made a Gaelic word, clann, meaning “famconnection to his Scottish roots. And somehow, finding out more ily” or “offspring,” but also can refer to a group of people who may share about his ancestors was like, well, similar lineage. They pulled tocoming home. gether in the old days for protection, “All of the sudden, it was important to me to have an identity,” Monroe said. There are about 16,000 Scottish said Monroe, secretary of the Celtic Arts Foundation Board of Directors surnames associated with a major and last year’s Chieftain of the 2009 clan, Monroe explained, including the MacKenzies, the Fergussons, Skagit Valley Highland Games. the MacLeans and, of course, the Monroe will be joining other members of Clan Munro during the Munroes. After years of research, Monroe upcoming Skagit Valley Highland discovered that his clan came to Games. England long ago, but was driven Organizers expect about 20 clans

out to Ireland when the Romans conquered the area. Monroe’s ancestors fought for King Malcolm of Scotland, who gave them an area of land in Scotland as a reward for their efforts. They settled in that area for good. One of his clan, Maj. Andrew Munro, was the first to come to America in 1649. He had fought against Oliver Cromwell at the Battle of Preston in England, and Cromwell won. Andrew Munro was deported to the area that’s now Virginia. Monroe said he enjoys what he learns from other clans at the games and the lively competitions and banter they share. Sometimes they bring up ancient rivalries, and jab each other goodnaturedly. That’s all part of the fun, Monroe said. “If it wasn’t for the clans and the rich clan history, there just wouldn’t be a Highland Games,” Monroe said. “It would all become a carnival.”

goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010

List of clans Alba Lodge Clan Bailey Society, International Clan Buchanan Clan Campbell Society of North American Clan Donald USA Clan Fergusson Clan Gordon Clan Gregor Clan Gunn Clan Hamilton Society Clan Johnston/e in America Clan MacKay Clan MacKenzie Society

Seattle, WA Oregon City, OR Lacey, WA Mount Vernon, WA Tacoma, WA Ferndale, WA Everett, WA Tacoma, WA Bellingham, WA Lynnwood, WA Renton, WA Anacortes, WA Bellingham, WA

Clan MacLaren Clan MacLean Assoc. Clan Maclelland Clan MacMillian Clan Morrison Society Clan Muir and Clan Lamont Clan Munro Clan Shaw Society Clan Stewart Society in America Innes Clan Society National Tartan Day Society Of Washington Scottish American Military Society Seattle Irish Heritage Club & Clans of Ireland

Seattle, WA Beaverton, OR Mountlake Terrace, WA Everett, WA Portland, OR Seattle, WA Mount Vernon, WA Surrey, BC Anderson Island, WA Concete, WA Tacoma, WA Silverdale, WA Arlington, WA

chieftain of the games

ill Toomey is the chieftain for the 2010 Skagit Valley Highland Games. As a charter member of the Celtic Arts Foundation, Bill has witnessed the evolution of this uniquely Scottish event. He remained on the Board of Directors of the Foundation until 2006 and is still actively involved with the organization and its mission. Bill, a certified public accountant, and his wife, Julie, have been Mount Vernon residents for more than 20 years. This sometimes sullen Irishman was graciously adopted by the Clan Munro in a spurious attempt to improve his Celtic pedigree. Bill is just one of the many volunteers who contribute to the success of this annual event. We appreciate his efforts on behalf of the organization and congratulate him on this special recognition.

Interested in the Celtic clans? Don’t miss the Parade of Clans Anthems and Lament ceremony at noon Saturday and 12:30 p.m. Sunday during the Highland Games.

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Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010 | Skagit Publishing | goskagit.com

Highland Games Volunteers Name

Volunteer area

Name

Volunteer area

Alec McDougall Amra Graham Anita Thornton Ari Shapiro Bill Toomey Bob Ham Bruce McBane Candice Soine Cate Melcher Char Brayton Craig & Elizabeth Sjostrom Dale Rutan Dawn Pucci Deborah Brown Gary Brown George Foster Heather Richendrfer Howard Anderson Isle Lindall Jack Herring Jerry & Mary Bromberger

General support VIP hospitality Vendor assistant Whisky-tasting Accounting & finance Athletic events Special setup operations Gate Supervisor Children’s events Whisky tent supervisor Special setup operations/command center Parking Sheepdog Trials Command Center Photographer Special setup operations Highland Dancing coordinator Electrical Parking assistant Scottish Country Dancing coordinator/ Special setup operations First aid

Jennifer Moyer John & Mary Mclean Kelly Dodd Lisa Coder Mairi Andrus Melissa Maxwell Michael King Nanette Hough Pam McNaughton Pat McLatchey Rob Campbell Sally Richendrfer Shelly & Rick VanPelt Skip Pass Stacy DeLaO Sue Gregg Tara Coder Terry Hergesheimer Walt Enquist Ward Beebe Wayne & Sue Norris

Gate support Grounds and facilities coordinator/ Beer Garden supervisor Vendor coordinator Celtic Farm & Parking General support Graphic art support General support General support Merchandise procurement Educational venue coordinator General support Parking First aid/music stage Grounds setup Volunteer tent coordinator Athletics Celtic Farm Celtic Harp Music stage coordinator Fiddling Session music

Celtic Arts Foundation

nitially, the Celtic Arts Foundation was established as a fundraising arm for the Skagit Valley Highland Games. Thirteen years later, that foundation is a leading international cultural nonprofit that’s contributed thousands of dollars to preserving Celtic culture and promoting education. “We’ve really become worldclass level,” said Skye Richendrfer, executive director of the foundation and founder of the Skagit Valley Highland Games. “We’re doing important things like bringing in top performers from Scotland for our Celtic Concert.” Through the years, the foundation has grown leaps and bounds,

racking up a $400,000 annual budget and handing out $80,000 in grants and scholarships since it was founded. In addition, the group managed to contribute almost $200,000 toward an outdoor stage at Edgewater Park in Mount Vernon. That stage is owned by the city. It also has contributed to capital campaigns at both the historic Lincoln Theatre in downtown Mount Vernon and McIntyre Hall on the Skagit Valley College campus. Along with its financial contributions, the organization has established well-respected annual programs, including the Robert Burns Scottish Evening, the Mastery of Scottish Arts Winter School at

Seabeck, Wash., the annual Celtic Arts Foundation Highland Dancing Championship and, of course, the Skagit Valley Highland Games and Celtic Festival each July in Edgewater Park. “We really are committed to promoting and passing on our music and dance and culture for future generations,” Richendrfer said. The foundation experienced a signficant boost a little more than a year-and-a-half ago when it merged with the Seattle-based Mastery of Scottish Arts nonprofit. As a result, the foundation has added several large cultural events to its list of programs, including the Mastery of Scottish Arts Concert at Benaroya Hall in Seattle.

goskagit.com | Skagit Publishing | Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival | July 2010

List of vendors Bay City Ice Cream Bellingham, WA European Style Food Inc Woodinville, WA Fair Food & Bakery Snohomish, WA Fiamma di Mamma Wood Fired Pizza Anacortes, WA Java Jo’s On The Go Mount Vernon, WA Kornman of Washington Renton, WA Lindas Concessions Burlington, WA Ma & Pa Kettle Corn, LLC Marysville, WA Rollin Snack Bar Concessions Mount Vernon, WA Slims Picken’s BAR B QUE Mount Vernon, WA Sugar N Spice Mini Donuts Ferndale, WA Sunblest Foods Arroyo Grande, CA You Found Us! Concessions Everson, WA Zieglers Bratwurst Haus Lynnwood, WA Accademia Della Rosa Bianca Mount Vernon, WA Age of Chivalry Mariposa, CA Back to Bali Seattle, WA Bagpipediscs.com Sammamish, WA Catriona MacRury’s Inc. “All Things Irish” Oak Harbor, WA Celtic Fantasy Eugene, OR Celtic Moonlighting & Elfen Design Port Angeles, WA Costco Wholesale Burlington, WA Elfen Design Henna Tattooing Ferndale, WA Elfstone Celtic Jewelry Snohomish, WA Gold and Silver Mine Redmond, WA History of Names Rogue River, OR Memories Headwear Eastsound, WA Mount Vernon Volunteer Firefighter Association Mount Vernon, WA Nature’s Healing Arts Anacortes, WA Northwest Junior Pipe Band Shoreline, WA Scottish Sword and Shield Federal Way, WA Society for Creative Anachronism Skagit County, WA SteelCraft/Legends of Camelot Bothell, WA Tartan Thistle Freeland, WA The Kilt & Thistle Salem, OR Unicornphobia Everett, WA Wandering Angus Celtic Traders Port Townsend, WA Wicked Things Alameda, CA Woolies Bellingham, WA Ye Olde Quicksilversmith San Diego, CA Anacortes, WA

Food Food Food Food Food Food Food Food Food Food Food Food Food Food Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise Merchandise

Scottish Country Dancing

oes the Highland fling look a little too difficult? Sword dancing not your style? Try some traditional Scottish country dancing on for size. Almost anyone of any age can participate in this form of social dancing that started in the mid-1600s in Scotland and England. People would get together for an evening of socializing and drinking, and often throw in a little dancing as a way to blow off steam during the cold, wet fall and winter months. Unlike Highland dancing, which has transformed over time into more of a sport, country dancing is purely recreational and doesn’t require a special uniform, kilt, tartan or prop — just a desire to step to the music. Dancers can learn the various reels, jigs and strathspeys and either dance with a partner or alone. Potential country dancers can try their hand — feet, really — at Scottish country dancing during the 16th annual Skagit Valley Highland Games. Country dancing will be presented and open to participation at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, July 10; and 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. Sunday, July 11 at the north end of Edgewater Park.

Thank You to the 2010 Skagit Valley Highland Games Sponsors! thanks to these many generous busInesses for theIr In-kInd suppport

corporate sponsors ($2000+)

SKAGITPUBLISHING

hIghland games event sponsors ($1000-$1999)

Anacortes Telescope Blade Chevrolet Costco Wholesale Eaglemont Golf Course Fisher & Sons Hawthorne Funeral Home Holland Health Services, Inc. Mount Vernon Auto Repair & Towing Northwest Handspun Yarns Skagit Gardens Walgreens-OptionCare IndIvIduals makIng contrIbutIons In support of the games:

Diageo North America

$5000 Anonymous $1000+ Mrs. Betty Black Ms. Ruth Marie Flucke & Mr. Rod MacKenzie Judge John M. & Mrs. Susan Meyer Mr. Brad A. Robinson Mr. & Mrs. Jim & Mary Scott $500-$999 Mr. & Ms. Walter & Linda Briggs Mr. Steve Chandler Mr. & Mrs. Ron & Delores Cook Mr. & Mrs. Chuck & Jan Gould Mr. & Mrs. Tyrone & Rachel Heade Dr. Jason & Mrs. Jill Hilde Capt. Brian McGuiness USNR (Ret.) Mr. Ron Wohl & Dr. Darcie Morris Mr. Scott Peterson Mr. & Mrs. Skye K. & Sally C. Richendrfer Ms. Joan Penney & Mr. David Ryberg Dr. Mark & Mrs. Diane Studley Mr. & Ms. Jeff & Megan Vogel Mr. John MacKinnon & Ms. Melanie Youhanna $250-$499 Dr. Gary & Mrs. Susan L. Brown, MD Ms. Elinor Curry Mr. & Mrs. Neil & Susan Hall Mr. & Mrs. Marty & Shelly Lehr Mr. & Mrs. Cory & Elizabeth McCarty Ms. Marilyn McLean Mr. Howard Anderson & Ms. Cate Melcher Ms. Alisoun C. Skjei & Mr. Rob Messman Mr. & Mrs. Dale & Susan Ragan Mr. Curtis D. Sweatt

Grandy Lake Forest Associates