Highland Games roll at Edinboro University

Following an unexpected year off, the Highland Games return full tilt -- and kilt -- to Edinboro University of Pennsylvania this weekend.

"It was kind of nice to have that year off, but we didn't plan it that way," said Tim Thompson, the festival director. "We handed it off to two people who were going to take it over but they ended up leaving the university. So, it kind of unraveled.

"It was a bit difficult to get things started up again. The clans and vendors and musicians and pipers get into certain habits when scheduling."

Then, Scottish luck struck. The Ligonier Highland Games, which usually take place the weekend after Labor Day, shifted to later in September. That freed Edinboro to claim this weekend and opened schedules for many participants.

The result: About 200 pipers and drummers, up to 100 Highland dancers, 20 Scottish vendors, more than a dozen clans and a combined 15 professional and amateur athletes will partake in these 19th annual games.

The 30-member Chelsea House Orchestra, a longtime favorite at Edinboro, will return for several performances. "Their slogan is Celtic with a kick and they do play Celtic, but a number of different others songs, too, like 'Last of the Mahicans,'" Thompson said.

Also back, for the first time in nine years, the rousing Seven Nations. Internationally known harpist Kim Robertson will play, serve as a guest judge, and teach a workshop.

Thompson is thrilled the games will host the U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championships. The best of the best -- players who qualified at previous Highland Games -- will converge on Edinboro.

May the best lass or lassie win.

The layout at Edinboro allows visitors to check out activities on adjacent fields. You can see pipers and marching bands, while athletes compete in the stone put, hammer throw and toss cabers -- trees that can weigh up to 130 pounds.

Visitors will also find plenty of Scottish goodies: haggis, meat pies, sausage rolls, and other festival food. Cleveland's Gaelic Imports supplies the food, which Edinboro's food vendors serve up. Wandering about the Edinboro campus, you may also encounter sheep-to-shawl weaving, a fire eater, Highland cattle and Clydesdales.

Just don't expect an appearance from Sir William Wallace and battlefield fighting. This fest has heart, just no "Braveheart." And because it takes place during the school year, Thompson expects plenty of students to check it out -- a boost for attendance.

Moving the event from summer to fall was the idea of Phillip Ginnetti, the provost and vice president of academic affairs at Edinboro and a big Highlands proponent. Ginnetti encouraged Thompson to get the games rolling again before he died in June, just days after he was diagnosed with leukemia.

"He was loved by many people here as a provost, and as a person, he was really into the Scottish thing," Thompson said. "He just loved throwing on the kilt and riding in the homecoming parade. We're dedicating (the festival) in his honor."

Source: http://www.goerie.com/article/20120906/ENTERTAINMENT08/309059866/Highland-Games-roll-at-Edinboro-University

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