By Rick Palsgrove
Eastside Editor
A bit of Scotland will be present in Reynoldsburg during the annual Tartan Day festival.
“This year the outdoor athletics are the main feature,” said Margaret McCullough, coordinator for the Daughters of Scotland. “We are not able to hold the indoor activities this year because of the issues the Senior Center had and some lack of support for them, so we have had to cancel these.”
The Senior Center, 1520 Davidson Drive, recently was damaged after a car crashed into the front entrance as well as an accidental kitchen fire.
Tartan Day will be held April 11 in Huber Park, 1520 Davidson Drive, Reynoldsburg. The Scottish Highland Games competition begin at 9:30 a.m.
According to Brian Huntley, president of the Great Lakes Scottish Athletes Association and athletic director for the Tartan Day Highland Games Athletics, the Scottish Highland games will include open stone, Braemar Stone, light weight for distance, heavy weight for distance, weight over bar, caber, sheaf, and heavy and light hammer. For a description of these events, visit http://glsaa.com/Events.html.
Huntley said four classes of athletes will compete including Amateur A Class, B Class, Master Class, and Women’s Class.
“There is a cultural significance to the event,” said Huntley. “It helps awareness of the Scottish/Irish heritage.”
History of Tartan Day in Reynoldsburg
Tartan Day has been celebrated in Reynoldsburg since 1998, according to McCullough.
“Reynoldsburg was settled by five Scottish families and that is why it was chosen for the site to celebrate Tartan Day,” said McCullough. “Most notably were the Grahams and Livingstons.”
McCullough said the driving force behind the Reynoldsburg celebration was Ann Myles-Lamb, a resident of Reynoldsburg who was active with Scottish activities and who passed away this year.
“Tartan Day was initiated as a way to recognize all the actions and work the Scottish people have brought to America,” said McCullough.
For more information about the event, call 322-6806.
