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Clan Currie Concludes 2006 Games Season with Stops in Tennessee and Virginia Curries Invited to Rally With the Clan in Memphis and Richmond The Clan Currie Society will conclude their 2006 highland games and festivals season with visits to Tennessee and Virginia. The Society invites all who bear the Currie name to join them at the Clanjamfry Scottish Festival in Memphis, Tennessee and the Richmond Highland Games and Celtic Festival in Richmond, Virginia. “We are thrilled to be returning to these two wonderful events,” said Robert Currie, president of the Clan Currie Society. “Clanjamfry is an intimate Scots gathering held on the vast lawn of the Evergreen Presbyterian Church while the Richmond games are held on a larger scale at the Raceway Complex. Though different in size, both events are known for their Southern warmth and hospitality.”
The Clanjamfry Festival is held at the Evergreen Presbyterian Church, located in the Vollentine-Evergreen historic district neighborhood in midtown Memphis. The Society is returning for its fourth visit to the games since making their debut in 2003. Clan Currie was the Honored Clan for the 2005 festival. The festival is produced as a family event, so there’s something for everyone. Memphis is known for its music and Clanjamfry is no exception, with a live performance stage as well as “less electronic” performances in the church – called Music in the Kirk. The night before the festival, nearby Rhodes College holds a reception and ceilidh for the sponsors and clans. Entertainment will be provided by a whole host of performers including Scots fiddler, Brian McNeill. Also returning by popular demand will be the Wolf River Pipes and Drums of Memphis. The festival will also feature a highland dance competition and a 5K run through beautiful Overton Park. Prizes will be awarded for top finishers in all race categories. There will also be children’s events and a Kirking of the Tartans worship service on Sunday, September 24. For further information and tickets, visit the Clanjamfry website at www.clanjamfrymemphis.org.
You don’t have to have Celtic heritage in your family tree to attend the Richmond Highland Games and Celtic Festival. Just be ready for a good time on a gorgeous autumn weekend, October 21 and 22 at the Richmond Raceway Complex.
This year’s events will feature Celtic entertainment on two stages, with continuous live performances from open to close. On the main field, traditional highland athletic events will be held, including the caber toss and sheaf toss and Richmond’s own “pumpkin chunkin” battle between the clans. The Celtic Harp competition will take place on Sunday, October 22. The Clan Currie Society has sponsored the Harpist of the Day trophy since 2004 as a means to help preserve and promote the traditional instrument of the MacMhuirich bards. Additional competitions will be held for highland dance and fiddle. For advance ticket locations and information, call (804) 569-3200 or visit: www.richmondceltic.com.
The origins of Highland Games in Scotland can be traced back many hundreds of years. King Malcolm is thought to have begun the Royal Association with Highland Games at Braemar during the 11th Century. Clan Chieftains used the Games to recruit staff – winners of races made excellent couriers while winners of strength events made fine bodyguards and soldiers. Events were developed to test for strength, stamina, accuracy and agility using the elements and materials of their day-to-day life. The caber toss, stone putt, hammer throw, weight lift, sheaf toss, archery, wrestling, foot races up steep hills and Highland Dancing all combined to tax the endurance and strength of the competitors. While many of the events have become more sophisticated and refined over the centuries, they retain the essence and flavor of the ancient days.
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