Piping seminars, sheepherding demo join Ligonier Highland Games
Sep. 12—Scottish dogs will have their day at the Ligonier Highland Games, back for the 65th year on Saturday.
After an absence of some years, a popular sheepherding event will return to the Idlewild & Soak Zone grounds.
There are plenty of other returning favorites, including traditional Celtic dances, a national championship harp competition, a historical military encampment and contestants in heavy athletic events such as the caber toss — throwing a tree trunk end-over-end.
"We'll have more Scottish breed dogs back this year" displayed at one of the park pavilions, said Richard Wonderly, executive director of the event. The American Kennel Club recognizes 14 dog breeds known to have originated in Scotland, including the golden retriever, the Scottish deerhound and the Shetland sheepdog.
A beginning bagpipe lesson from a local pipe major also is among the new and revived activities that await fans of Scottish culture and competition.
Vendors will offer food and merchandise with Scottish appeal.
Gates open at 8 a.m. and activities continue until 6 p.m. at the Ligonier Township park.
Since 1984, A.G. Lee has arrived at the park the Friday before the games to help set up a series of Scottish clan tents.
"A couple of guys asked me, 'Would you give us a hand?' I've been doing it ever since," Lee said. "On Saturday, people will come around and try to find out if they're Scottish. It's very nice."
Lately, he's been bringing fellow members of the Seton Hill University Pipe Band — a Greensburg bagpipe-and-drum unit — to help with the task.
The group will be missing a few members Saturday and won't take part in the Ligonier games' band competition, but some members are expected to tune up for a solo piping event.
As pipe major of the band with 70 years of experience playing bagpipes and half a century teaching the instrument, Lee will lead the games' new Introduction to Piping seminars, set for 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Limited spots for the free piping program were filling up fast, with registration available at ligonierhighlandgames.org.
"I want to explain the steps you need to take in order to become a piper," Lee said. "My goal is to show (participants) what they need to get started, and I'll show them how the bagpipes work."
While a full set of bagpipes typically costs $1,000 or more, those learning to play begin with a practice chanter, the tube that is fingered to produce musical notes. By the end of each session, Lee hopes to have participants playing the chanter's nine-note scale.
"We are the first Highland games having something like this and offering it for free," Wonderly said. "You can have a lesson with a professional, and you don't have to buy the equipment."
An official with the Eastern United States Pipe Band Association is expected to be on hand to observe.
Admission to the games at the Idlewild gate is $20 for adults, $18 for those 55 or older and $10 for ages 13-17. Younger kids get in for free. A portion of the proceeds supports the scholarship funds of the Clan Donald Educational and Charitable Trust, the Ligonier games' parent organization.
There is a separate price of $24.99 for amusement rides and Hallowboo! activities from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the family-friendly park.
Scottish events off-site include a competition among four professional pipers at 6 p.m. Friday at Holy Trinity Church, 342 W. Main St. in downtown Ligonier. Admission is free.
A Highland Ceilidh event is set for 5 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday at The Gray Goose restaurant on Route 30 west, not far from the park. The $65 ticket includes a Scottish buffet and entertainment, including a piper and Highland dance performance. After-dinner Scotch tasting is an additional $25. A QR code to scan for tickets is available on the Ligonier games website and The Gray Goose Facebook page.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at [email protected].