On Friday, there are more than 200 Highland Games gatherings every year across the United States and Canada. The first one in America was held in New York in 1836. And we have a proud tradition right here in Metro Detroit.
This weekend, that tradition comes alive again at Greenmead Park in Livonia, thanks to the St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit.
And the St. Andrew’s Society Highland Games are the oldest continuously running Highland Games in North America.
The first games were held in 1849, at Sugar Island, Belle Isle and Grosse Ile.
In 1904, they moved to Bob-Lo Island, where they stayed until 1955.
Over the years, the games have been held at the University of Detroit Stadium and Historic Fort Wayne, before finding their home at Greenmead Park in Livonia.
Over 175 years of Scottish heritage, right here in Metro Detroit.
Julie Bartoy, membership chair for the St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit, and Van Rohr, also with the St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit, joined Local 4 Live to talk all about this weekend.
You can watch the full interview in the video at the beginning of this article.