Highland Festival brings hundreds to 'Scotland USA'


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Festival-goers dressed in traditional Scottish attire at the Highland Festival and Games on May 23, 2015.

Kilt-wearers big and small gathered this weekend at Alma College for the 48th annual Alma Highland Festival and Games. 

The event featured traditional Scottish country dancing, a Tartan parade and presentation of clans from across the U.S. Members of clans could be seen donning their specific Tartan patterns and bag pipes could be heard throughout the day. The festival began in 1968, when staff from the college decided the town should have a festival to honor the Scottish heritage of the area.

Today's events started with a parade through downtown Alma. 

For Bay City residents Anne and Michael Andress, the festival is a time to show pride for their Scottish lineage. The pair was dressed in traditional clothing, complete with kilts and sporans, a pouch worn on the front of the kilt which serves as a purse or pocket. 

"We're wearing our clan colors," Anne said. "We've been to this festival about 20 times, and our outfits have been put together over the years."

The Andress clan took part in the Tartan parade during the opening ceremony of the festival on Saturday. Each clan had the opportunity to walk onto the track at Bahlke Field in front of hundreds of onlookers. Each clan carried a banner representing who they are, and some repeated chants when their clan name was announced. 

Also at the opening ceremony was a group of Royal Scottish Country Dancers, who entertained the crowd with traditional dances of different themes. Following the dances, massed bands performed before a band competition.

Judy Muhn, a resident of Alma, said the music is her favorite part of the annual event.

"I love the pipes," she said.

Her husband, Denny, grew up in Alma going to the Highland Festival every year. 

"I've come for decades," he said. "I was forced to do the games when I was a kid. My favorite part is the athletics."

Professional and amateur athletic events were included in the festival, with many taking part. During the heavyweight competition, athletes took to "putting the stone," which is very similar to shotput in track and field. They also participated in "the Scottish Hammer," which involves throwing a 22 lb. hammer. Throwers wear shoes with a long metal strip at the toe to anchor their feet to the ground. 

The Highland Festival will continue through Sunday, May 24 starting at 8 a.m. with a solo piping a drumming competition, and ending with the closing ceremony featuring an awards presentation and a massed band performance. 

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Sydney Smith is a super-senior at Central Michigan University. She comes from metro Detroit ...

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