Monday, September 3, 2012

Canmore Highland Games

Canmore is a beautifully situated town nestled at the base of the Rockies - a few kilometres from the entrance to Banff National Park, Alberta and luckily for me, it's only about a 50 minute drive from home.  
During our recent Labour Day weekend, they held their 22nd Annual Highland Games.
Big people and little people prepared for the opening ceremony.
Little people danced their hearts out.
Big people threw almighty great cabers around - if it lands at "12 o'clock", you're onto a winner.
And my people made essential purchases - Curly Wurly's are definitely an irresistable favourite British chocolate.
Art and craft stalls selling evocative items...
...and essential metal-ware for any 
self-respecting Scot.
And approximately 14 Drum and Pipe bands from around Western Canada made the journey to battle one another in competition.

They came from Edmonton and Calgary in Alberta, there was a band from Kamlooops in British Columbia, another from Saskatoon in Saskatchewan and at least one band made it from Winnipeg in Manitoba - now that is long drive!
We spotted the Calgary Police Pipe Band, and my husband recognized one of their drummers, so we gave them an extra cheer.

A lovely, albeit noisy way to spend the afternoon, 
as our Alberta summer comes to a close.

Linking to Scenic Sunday and 
OurWorld Tuesday.  Have a lovely week.

16 comments:

  1. What a fun event and it does indeed sound delightful! I love your photos and you've really captured the fun! Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a great week!

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  2. Thank you for this great journey. So miss the sound of Pipes and the Scottish accent of tongue.

    Please have a good Tuesday.

    daily athens photo

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  3. Oh, fabulous! I love the pipes and drums. Gives me goosebumps just thinking about it, even though I failed bagpipe lessons 50 years ago.
    K

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  4. Wow! Fun time ~ love,love,love the bagpipes! My Dad was of Scottish ancestry ~ Great photos ~ (A Creative Harbor)

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  5. Oh, how wonderful to enjoy a bit of Scotland in Canada.

    I grew up with Curly-Wurlies!

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  6. What a wonderful way to celebrate Labour day.

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  7. Hi there - if they are going to sell Curly Wurly bars they should sell that other Scottish standard, "Irn Brue"

    You may have no idea what I'm on about - but its a soft drink from Scotland.

    Stewart M - Australia

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  8. Everyone loves a pipe band!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  9. Calling by from Our World Tuesday, what an interesting series of photos from your part of the world.

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  10. I love pipe bands. We have one in Powell River that plays in all the parades and events. - Margy

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  11. That IS a log distance between Winnipeg and Canmore but I bet it was worth the trip for the band to participate AND enjoy the beautiful scenery.

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  12. It looks such fun. I love to hear the skirl of the pipes.

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  13. What fun! I love those little dancers--I could watch them all day.
    My local Bulk Barn sells Curly Wurly's now. Still no proper English shop in these parts, but I live in hope!

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  14. Such a fun day. I haven't been to Canmore in years. Thanks for the tour!

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