Greenville Scottish Games and Parade Return This Weekend
Greenville, SC—This weekend, the vibrant Scottish culture will once again be celebrated at the annual Greenville Scottish Games and Great Scot Parade. The event, which began in 2006, is a unique and innovative approach to honoring Scottish heritage in the United States.
Great Scot Parade and Road Closures
The Great Scot Parade will kick off the festivities on Friday, May 24, at 6 p.m. The parade route will take place on Main Street in downtown Greenville. To accommodate the parade, there will be road closures in the following areas:
- Main Street from Broad to Falls Park Drive: 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Main Street from Broad to North: 5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- East North Street from Main to Spring Street: 6:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Schedule of Events
The main event, the Greenville Scottish Games, will take place at Furman University on Saturday, May 25, starting at 8:30 a.m. The organizers are expecting a large crowd this year and recommend carpooling if possible. Parking teams will be available to assist attendees with directions.
Friday, May 24
In addition to the Great Scot Parade, there will be Wee Games for children at Wee Scottland on Saturday, May 25. Children can participate in various activities to learn about Scottish heritage, including designing their own Coats of Arms and participating in traditional Scottish games.
Saturday, May 25
- 8:30 a.m. – Gates Open
- 9:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies on Main Field
- 10 a.m. – Parade of Tartans on Main Field
- 11 a.m. – Military Salute on the Main Field
- 5 p.m. – Awards Ceremony
- 6 p.m. – World’s Greatest Scottish Happy Hour and Celtic Jam with performances by Albannach, Syr & Eireann’s Call
Activities and Entertainment
Throughout the day, attendees can enjoy a variety of activities and entertainment, including:
- Heavy Athletics on the Main Field
- Piping and Drumming Competitions around Cherrydale Mansion
- Border Collie Demonstrations at 10 a.m., 1 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
- Celtic Music on the Main Stage starting at 10 a.m.
- British Car Show outside the Main Gate from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main Stage Music Schedule
- 10 a.m. – Eireann’s Call
- Noon – SYR
- 1:15 p.m. – Albannach
- 2:15 p.m. – Eireann’s Call
- 3:30 p.m. – SYR
- 4:45 p.m. – Albannach
Food and Vendors
For those looking to indulge in Scottish cuisine or shop for unique goods, there will be various food and dry goods vendors at the event. Food vendors include Cameron’s British Food, The Scottish Cottage BBQ, and more. Dry goods vendors offer a range of Scottish-themed products and crafts.
Whether you are of Scottish descent or simply appreciate the culture and traditions, the Greenville Scottish Games and Great Scot Parade offer a fun and educational experience for all ages. Don’t miss out on this celebration of Scottish heritage in the heart of Greenville!
