MAXVILLE, Ontario – Nearly 10,000 people inundated Maxville for the first Glengarry Highland Games in 1948.
The organizers had hoped for a few thousand in their attempt to revitalize the Scottish traditions and sports in Glengarry. The grounds were overflowing with people, the vendors were quickly sold out, and villagers and local farmers handed out food and water. The pipers and dancers performed surrounded by swarms of people vying to get a good view. When Prime Minister William Lyon MacKenzie King’s car entered the field it could hardly make progress through the throngs. All in all, the first Games were a resounding success.
This year, when the Games celebrate their 70th year on August 4 &5, much will have changed since that first Games but much also remains the same. The Games are two days now, the crowds are bigger, there are all kinds of events to entertain the crowds and each year is still a resounding success.
Were you there at the first Games in 1948? Do you know someone who was there? The Games would like to salute those people with a token of their attendance and our appreciation. If you register with Games with your name and contact info (email, phone number) before July 1, 2107, you will be added to those who were there at the beginning. To register, email media@glengarryhighlandgames.com.
WE NEED YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS
There are so many photos taken at the Games each year. The Games photographers alone take a few thousand. We’re looking for photographs from the early years of the Games that will give a view into how the Games looked in the first years as well as the 50s, 60s, 70s &80s. If you have photos that you would like to share from those years, the Games would welcome them. The photos would be used to illustrate our history at different events, for the Games 70th celebration video and on our website and social media.
Photos will be collected by the Glengarry County Archives. The Archives is open to the public every Wednesday and Thursday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm or by appointment. The Archives is located at 212 Main Street North(GDHS), Alexandria, Ontario KOC 1A0.Telephone: 613-209-0202 or email glengarrycountyarchives@gmail.com.
