FLORENCE-A “hundred thousand welcomes” awaits visitors to the 24th annual Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival on July 15 at Look Park.
Blandford resident Peter Langmore, who is now in his 18th year as chairman, encourages area residents to step back in time and enjoy the re-creation of Scottish heritage through music, dance, athletics, delightful fare and more.
During an interview last week, Langmore explained that in 1753, 50 Ulster Scot families, with all the possessions they could carry, trekked westward through the sparsely settled countryside of Massachusetts for approximately 100 miles to settle the rugged, hilly, frontier wilderness which they called Glasgow Lands or New Glasgow – later renamed Blandford.
“The Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival was first conducted in 1994 at the Blandford Fairgrounds to help raise funds needed for restoration of their historic White Church,” said Langmore. “Although intended to be held only one year, the event was so well received by Scots from throughout the northeastern United States that it has become a tradition.”
As years passed the festival outgrew the Blandford Fairgrounds and relocated to Stanley Park in Westfield until in 2004, committee members once again moved the event to Look Park in Florence because of its acres of land and ample parking.
Langmore noted the festival is now the second largest Scottish festival in New England and the only one in the state. Tickets are $16 for adults, $5 for children ages six to 12, and free for children under six. Advance tickets ($13) can be purchased through the website until July 8. Gates open at 9 a.m. and visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs.
“Celebrate your Scottish heritage – real or coveted,” said Langmore, noting he has English roots. “I enjoy continuing to bring the Celtic culture to this region through a fun, family event.”
Langmore and the many volunteers who work behind the scenes enjoy bringing a “wee bit o’ Scotland” to the masses.
“As in all such undertakings, our volunteers are at the core of our success,” he said. “We could not present an event of such magnitude without them.”
That “magnitude” includes 21 pipe bands, Celtic harp music by the Pioneer Valley Harpers’ Guild, kilt-wearing, tree-tossing Scotsmen at the Highland Athletic Games, spinning and weaving lessons from the Weavers’ Guild of Springfield, an Irish step dancing demonstration by the Cassin Academy of Irish Dance, a kilt demonstration, performances by Charlie Zahm, the Tartan Terrors, Screaming Orphans, Albannach and The Brigadoons, and much more.
A Celtic Pub will also be available all day featuring the microbrews and mead of New City Brewery in Easthampton and a special – Ginger Libation – from the Artisan Beverage Cooperative in Greenfield.
“Attendees can also delight in plates piled high with Scottish foods including scones, shortbread, bridies or meat pies,” said Langmore, adding that a host of food vendors will be on the grounds, also offering fish and chips, turkey legs, pulled pork, chopped brisket, doughnuts, beignets, churros, kettle corn, fried dough, baked potatoes, corn dogs, steak and kielbasa grinders, Welsh cookies, fresh-squeezed lemonade and ice tea drinks.
Merchant vendors are also part of the festivities and will offer a wide variety of imported gift ideas, ranging from books, pewter, leather crafts, jewelry and kilts, to Viking items, contemporary Scottish gifts, period pottery, shirt and ties, and harp recordings.
Clans are also an integral part of the day and will encompass a “Clan Village” allowing visitors to stop in and learn about one’s family history. Clans scheduled to participate at press time include Armstrong Clan Society, Clan Buchanan, Clan Campbell, Clan Cunningham, Clan Davidson, Clan Donald, Clan Donnachaidh Society, House of Gordon, Clan Gunn, Clan MacFarlane Worldwide, Clan MacInnes Society, Clan MacIntyre, Clan MacKay, Clan Mackintosh, Clan MacNachtan, Clan MacNeil, Clan MacNicol Society, Clan Macpherson, Clan Rose, Clan Shaw Society, the Scottish-American Military Society and the Scottish District Families Association.
“There is a great deal of fascinating history to be learned about Scottish culture at the Clan tents,” said Langmore. “A genealogist will also assist in tracing your Scottish ancestry.”
Genealogist Cindy Mulcahy will present two classes, “Your Tree Starts With You,” at 10:30 a.m., and “More Than Just A Name – Stories Behind Your Families” at 2 p.m.
All-day events will include athletic games and activities for children, the Historic Highlanders – recreating everyday life of Highland society from 1314 to 1746, a Highland Dance competition, individual piping and drumming competitions, a pipe band competition, drum major competition, sheep herding and dog obedience programs, and blacksmith Ted Hinman providing demonstrations.
Langmore also notes – not to be missed – amateur and professional competitors in the Highland Athletic Games. The “Games” originated in the 15th century and from the chief to the lowest clansman, Scotsmen vied with each other in generous contention, the strongest individuals winning positions in the military or as bodyguards.
“The Bonniest Knees Contest is also popular,” said Langmore, noting the goal is to find the man with the bonniest knees – bonnie meaning the handsomest – who is wearing a kilt.
Each knee is checked for bone structure, muscle tone, skin texture, hair amount and quality, judged by blindfolded women. Each pair of knees is rated on a scale of one to five, and the winner is determined by total points and receives a prize.
The day kicks off with a performance by traditional Scottish musician Charlie Zahm at 9:30 a.m., with The Brigadoons following at 10:30. The Brigadoons perform traditional Celtic music.
The opening ceremonies with the Massed Bands, the Mass Highland Fling, the Clan and Animal Parade and Caber Toss demonstration starts at 11:30.
Celtic rock performers Albannach take the stage at 12:30, followed by the Tartan Terrors at 1:30 with its traditional folklore, dance and humor – and rock energy. Zahm returns to the stage at 2:30, followed by the Screaming Orphans at 3:30. The women band performs pop/Celtic rock tunes. At 4:30, Albannach returns to the stage, followed by the closing ceremonies at 5:30.
While the vendors and competitions wrap up around 5 p.m., the evening continues with musical performances ending at 9:30 p.m. Performers returning to the stage are The Brigadoons at 6:15, the Screaming Orphans at 7:15, and the Tartan Terrors close out the day with a show starting at 8:15.
Since the festival began as a fundraiser 24 years ago, that tradition too has continued and this year proceeds will benefit Forum House of Westfield, a not-for-profit that serves disabled and disadvantaged adults in Hampden, Hampshire and southern Worcester counties, and River Valley Counseling Center, a multi-service agency in Hampden County, offering traditional and non-traditional outpatient services to adults and children.
“Since the festival began, we have made donations totaling $209, 515 to mainly 501(c)3 organizations,” said Langmore. “Sizable donations were also made to the Blandford Fair, Stanley Park Education Fund, Westfield Children’s Museum, Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum and Human Resources Unlimited.”
For a schedule of events and more information on the festival – conducted rain or shine, visit www.glasgowlands.org or call (413) 862-8095. The Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that supports other nonprofits and provides scholarships for qualifying Scottish dance, pipe, and/or drum students.
