The Tallahassee Scottish Highland Games
& Celtic Festival
Clans & Societies
Dear Tallahassee Highland Games & Celtic Festival
On behalf of Clan Macrae: Please convey our sincere thanks to Your President, Keiff Lindsay, Joyce Oakley, Eric King and all the other officers of your Scottish Games Council for the signal Honour they have accorded to our Clan. We are most conscious of the event and all the hard work they put into making the whole event such a success after the series of misfortunes that had preceded them. We must also thank them for the warm welcome and kindness and friendship. Be assured shall always have a special place in our hearts for Tallahassee.
Sincerely,
John Malcolm MacRae-Hall, President
Clan MacRae Society of North America.
John Malcom shakes hands with Cathy Geiger, High Commissioner of Clan Stewart Society of North America.
Congratulations to the Tallahassee Scottish Games Committees and St Andrews Society of Tallahassee! A new venue, indoors with air conditioning and in close proximity to the state capital, proved a winning combination to thwart the past defeats in battles with Mother Nature (hurricanes and severe thunderstorms) to hold a Scottish Game. Following a three year hiatus, the 2008 games were successful for the clans, athletes, dancers, bands, and vendors. All activities were held at the North Florida Fairgrounds from Whiskey Tasting seminar, to the Sponsor s Reception, to the Saturday night Ceilidh with Seven Nations band, the McIlroy s, the Wyndbreakers, Davey Clark, and The Tinkers. Seven Nations still rocks! And Davey Clark, the balladeer, was pleasing to the ear.
The twenty-one clans, led by Clan MacRae, the Honored Clan, all marched out on to the field for the opening ceremony. We were a bit damp (but NOT wet!) afterwards, as the skies tried to rain on the Parade of Tartans. But, it was just a drizzle! The athletic events were held on the vast fields surrounding the numerous buildings which housed clans, dancers, Celtic musicians, some vendors and other activities. Following the opening ceremony, the public began their "tour" of the buildings and fields. There was much activity in the clan area, with Clan Hamilton situated between Clans Elliott and Henderson enjoying many interested onlookers. Likely candidates for membership included: Teresa Ramsook and Alan Cochrane both of Tallahassee. A new member, R. (Richard) Seamus Hamilton
of Valdosta, GA came by with his fiancée, and promptly registered. Congratulations to Seamus, and to his intended. He wore the Hamilton kilt, and expressed an interest in both the Savannah and Stone Mountain Highland games.
And, thus concludes the 2008 Florida season for Scottish games!
Yours, aye,
Cynthia K. Stroupe
Clan Hamilton Society
Florida Commissioner/Clan Council
Cynthia Stroupe of Clan Hamilton and Judy Elliot of Clan Elliot.
