Hoots Mon! Scottish Culture Comes Alive During the 8th Annual Dixon Scottish Games

"Hoots mon", an interjection usually meaning "Hey!"

The 8th Annual Dixon Scottish Games had something for everyone Saturday at the grounds.

Participants enjoyed a day of dance and music, food and drink, and athleticism, all highlighting Scottish culture. 

I sampled the fish and chips at the games and I can say that was very close to what you can buy in England, the only thing missing was the newspaper that fish and chips normally come in.

When it comes to dance you have a few flavors to pick from. There was country dancing (yes this is Scottish it developed in the 18^th century in Scotland) inside and across the field you could watch highland dancing. The beer on tap was a good Scottish ale. The vendors were selling everything from dried foods to jewelry and pottery all from Scotland and the UK.

One of my favorite parts were the pipe bands. The piping competitions were great. But I really loved the version of "Amazing Grace" played at the closing ceremony, very touching.

Interview with Philip Venable Chief of the

DSCA how did it start?

"It started in 2000, a group of folks here in town who where of Scottish decent decided to honor the Scottish heritage of Dixon. Mr. Dixon the person who this town was named after it was a Scotsman and a local sheepherder in the area. So to honor him and the Scottish heritage of the town they formed the Scottish Cultural Association here in Dixon and soon after put on the first games...

"In 2000 we did two Scottish games almost back to back and then annually every year after until I think 2006 was our last games that we had for a while."

How many volunteers does it take to organize the Scottish Games?

"Well, that depends usually we have about 30 to 40 volunteers, plus we get community groups to help us out on games day. The actual planning and putting it all together we have a core group of about 25 people that do that. On games day itself we usually get in about another 75-100 volunteers to help out. In the past we have had the FFA from , the Boy Scouts, the Girls Scouts, cheerleaders from DHS and a couple of other civic groups that will come in and help us out. From the proceeds of the games we will donate to those groups as a way of thanking them for their helping us out and as a way of helping them out. We feel the youth are our future and we love to support them when ever we can."

How many clans will attend the Scottish Games?

"We usually have between 40 to 50 we hope to have the same this year."

So what are the Scottish Games?

"Well Scottish Games originated in the 12th century Scotland, it was a way for the King of Scotland at the time to find his best and strongest soldier. So they developed a series of exercises so to speak to develop those strengths. And then as a display of the best they would put on the games and all of the soldiers would compete, the best soldiers would be honored by the king. Gradually it has evolved over the years now where it's more mainstream competitive athletics. But that is the origination of the games. And there are games held all over Scotland and the United States by various Scottish organizations. The first Scottish in the US where held in the 1850's.”

Do only people with Scottish heritage attend the Scottish Games here in Dixon?

“Oh no no we are open to everybody, in fact our club has probably more non-Scots then Scots.”

What does it mean to be Scottish in America these days?

“Well primarily it means being and American first and a Scott second, but it's a way to celebrate our heritage to kind of rediscover our roots, go back to where we came from kind of thing. In the process of being a member of a club such as this you learn a lot about Scottish history and about Scottish culture and ... it's a way to celebrate that as well as American heritage. Scots have been coming to this country since the beginning aboard the early ships that came here in the early 17^th century.”

What else should people know about the DSCA?

“Well we are a non-profit origination dedicated to teaching and celebrating the history and culture of Scotland. We are open to anyone you don't have to be Scottish to belong you can just come and attend out meetings we meet on the third Wednesday of every month at the here in town. Each year we also put on a Burns supper which is a celebration of the life and times of , we do that through poetry and music, as Burns was probably, well he was a well known partier, and we try to party right along in his spirit.”

If you missed it this year be sure to come out next year for the 9^th annual Dixon Scottish Games.

Fun fact article partially written while listening to the music of Brother and the Browne Sisters, in the Leber beer garden.

For more information on the Dixon Scottish Cultural Association visit their website.

See more photo's of the Dixon Scottish Games or order prints at MBSnap.com