Athena Caledonian Games 2012

**Blupiper** · 15th July 12, 11:41 PM

Yesterday (Saturday, July 14th) was the Athena Caledonian Games in Athena, Oregon. It's a smaller games, but still plenty to see and do. A parade, piping, dancing, heavy athletics and sheepdog trials. First off, there was the parade. Athena is near Pendleton, home of the world famous Pendleton Roundup, and there were some rodeo princesses:

I was entered in three piping events and with a lot of luck and blessings (and practice), I took home three medals! Here's me playing:

And celebrating with another winning piper in the beer garden (it's the best place to celebrate):

Sheepdogs penning the sheep:

and enjoying the day when the work is done (I think this should be captioned 'my sheepdog is smarter than your honor student):

Both sexes represent in the heavy athletics: putting the stone, weight for distance and the sheaf toss:

These fellows are re-enactors who recreate the 42nd RHR Black Watch from the French and Indian (Seven Years) War period. Smart looking:

Of course there was music other than the pipes:

At the end of the day, it was time to go.

JMB

**Scout** · 16th July 12, 04:42 AM

Great pics. I'm looking forward to the Maine games next month and the New Hampshire games in September. They'll be my first.

**English Bloke** · 16th July 12, 05:02 AM

Crackin' set of pictures Blupiper. Looks like a great day out. Congratulations on the medal haul, good score there.

**freddie** · 17th July 12, 12:30 PM

Great set of pictures Blupiper and congrats on your medals. Looked like a great event. I love the Black Watch uniforms.

**cessna152towser** · 17th July 12, 02:53 PM

Super pics, looks lkke there was plenty of activity despite your desciption as a smaller games.
Well done on the piping medals.

**Blupiper** · 17th July 12, 06:51 PM

Thanks, everyone, for the kind words. I want to mention the young lady in the last photo of the musicians. By all means, check her out on iTunes, eMusic or CD Baby. Here name is Anna Okana Burgess and her disk is called Spring in Brassica. After I saw her at the games, I downloaded the disk off eMusic and have been very impressed with her playing. Accompanied by her Dad on guitar,she is excellent for a young lady not far out of high school. I would compare her style to Alasdair Fraser, which is praise indeed.

JMB