Greenville Scottish games, parade return this weekend, road closures, need to know info

During the 1600s and 1700s, Scotland began immigrating to the United States, according to midcontinentpubliclibrary.com.

With them came their language, culture, and traditions, creating a unique and vibrant culture that is still celebrated today.

The Greenville Scottish games embody the Scottish tradition brought to new levels.

This event, which began in 2006, has consistently taken an innovative, fresh approach to celebrating Scottish heritage.

According to gallabrae.com, Greenville is nestled in arguably the country's highest concentration of Greenville Scots-Irish descent.

The Great Scot Parade will occur on Main Street in downtown Greenville on Friday, May 24, at 6 p.m.

The Greenville Scottish Games will occur at Furman University on Saturday, May 25, starting at 8:30 a.m.

Organizers said they are expecting a large crowd for this year's games. They suggest attendees carpool if they can.

Parking teams will be available to direct you to where you need to go.

Special Officer of the Games

Brigadier General Robin B. Stilwell, Director of the Joint Staff, South Carolina National Guard, is the Special Officer of the Games. He is a native of Greenville and a graduate of The Citadel University and the United States Army War College and has served in various roles throughout his career in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Road closures for Great Scot Parade

Friday

3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. -- Main Street from Broad to Falls Park Drive

5:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. -- Main Street from Broad to North

6:15 p.m. to 8 p.m. -- East North Street from Main to Spring Street

2024 Schedule of Events

Friday, May 24

The Great Scot Parade – 6 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Greenville.

Wee Games

Wee Scottland will also take place on Saturday, May 25. At Wee Scottland, children can participate and learn about Scottish heritage.

You can pick up game travel documents and redeem stamps at the Wee Passport office.

Participants can view Scottish Clan tents, enjoy children's games, such as turning cabers and tossing sheep, design their own Coats of Arms, leave fully armed with a sword, and collect Scottish Clan stamps.

Saturday's schedule of events

8:30 a.m. – Gates 0pen9:30 a.m. – Opening ceremonies on Main Field

10 a.m. – Parade of Tartans on Main Field11 a.m. – Military salute on the Main Field5 p.m. – Awards ceremony6 p.m. – World’s Greatest Scottish Happy Hour and Celtic Jam with Albannach, Syr & Eireann’s Call

Heavy Athletics – All day on the Main Field

Piping/Drumming Competitions – All day around Cherrydale Mansion

Border Collie Demonstrations – 10 a.m., 1 pm and 2:30 p.m.

Celtic Music – Main Stage starting at 10 a.m.

British Car Show – outside 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. – Albannac

Food Vendors

Cameron’s British Food, St. Andrews Square, The Scottish Cottage BBQ, Latest Craze (hot dogs), Nomadik Few Shaved Ice, The Chuckwagon, The King’s Nuts and Mookie’s Kettle Corn.

Dry Goods Vendors

The Carolina Celt, Cross WoodCraft, The Celtic Exchange, Near & Far Scottish, Crafty Celts, Bochemuehl Jewelers, Celtic Vibe, Charisma art gallery, The Heelan’ Hound, Oz Pottery Guild, County Argyle, The Argyll Collection, La Wren’s Nest, Cape Woolamai Mercantile Co, The Celtic Bag, Blarney Stones, St. Andrew’s Square. Pawky Scottish tees and Scottish Cottage.

Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.