The 24th Paeroa Highland Games

For the third year in a row the Paeroa Highland Games enjoyed a fabulous Summers day. Saturday the 11^th of February dawned clear and bright, and as the morning progressed it got very hot as there was just a very light breeze.

The Paeroa Domain is a great site for the highland games with plenty of mature trees for people to enjoy the shade. Particularly while watching the Pipe Band Contest in the afternoon.

The many clans were set up early, and ready for the crowds who were brought out by the beautiful weather. We had many members and friends calling in to the Pavilion for a chat and refreshments plus several people interested in becoming members.

 

Tom McDonald, Secretary of Clan Donald chatting with a prospective member and Lynnette McDonald looks after the sales tables.

 

Around 11am the clans marched to the town centre behind the Thames Valley Pipe Band. The March, as usual, stopped all traffic and gathered and interested crowd of Saturday morning shoppers.

 

The Clan Donald Colour Party, led by the Banner Bearer Lex Allan followed by Tom McDonald, Barrie Paterson and Lynnette McDonald.

 

 Clan Donald, with Clan Davidson and Clan Fraser in the town centre during the playing by the Thames Valley Pipe Band.

 

The Thames Valley Pipe Band entertaining the public in the town centre during the Clans March.

 

The programme started early morning and included the traditional Scottish events. Solo Piping and Drumming. Highland Dancing and the Heavyweight Field Events which featured the traditional contests of Tossing the Caber and Tossing the Sheaf.

Late morning there was also a Junior Highland Games.

During the afternoon there was a Pipe Band Contest with bands from the Auckland and Central Districts.

During the day, people were entertained by guests direct from Scotland. The Saltire Scottish Duo, David Vernon and Alex Hodson.

The evening events started with the Pipe Band Street March through the town to the domain. The Tattoo followed with the start signalled by the firing of the cannon.

 

The cannon being fired to start the Tattoo.

 

During the Tattoo the public were entertained with a Mace Flourishing Competition, a Haggis Ceremony and Massed Highland Dancers.

The Tattoo finished with the Lone Piper, the Ode to Scotland and a Massed Bands marching through the gate in the castle wall.

 

The massed pipe bands marching through the gate during the Tattoo.