The Foothills Highland Games was an incredible success on Saturday, but it also provided a sound lesson for the nonbelievers.
No matter how skeptical you are once you put on the kilt you feel damn sexy.
It is not unusual to hear a few snickers and jokes about wearing “a skirt” when I have my kilt on.
As a result, I was a little worried when I asked three good ol’ boys from Okotoks to don kilts for the Highland Games. I had visions they would either: flatly refuse; laugh in my face; immediately call ‘friends off’; or all of the above.
Fortunately, when we approached our three chieftains they were more than game. Dave Gilbert, Todd Reidlinger and Gord Lang were great sports and even started doing some research into their own Scottish roots.
Granted, it took some trial runs to ensure they were wearing everything properly — pleats at the back, flashes on the socks — and most importantly sitting correctly. However, the three chieftains looked the part on Saturday.
The kilts helped them get in the spirit and they had no problem performing the “Frozen River Dance” in front of several hundred people during the opening ceremonies.
In fact, initially they were going to remove the kilts after the opening, but all three were there until the end of the ceilidh proudly wearing the Black Watch tartan.
Clearly, just as our three chieftains on Saturday, Okotoks and area is catching the spirit of the Foothills Highland Games.
Seriously, if Mr. Reidlinger is willing to wear a kilt and haggis sliders sell out in less than two hours I think we are on to something here.
Whether its the Olde Towne Show and Shine, the Highland Games or this weekend’s rodeo residents in this community embrace our great summer events and are certainly willing to try new things.
The only thing to make it better would be more haggis. Perhaps we should get our kilts on for an Okotoks Robbie Burns dinner.
