Olde Towne Scottish Walk

Thanks to David Cartier for permitting me to repost his entry from his blog, "What's New in Olde Towne". To mark the coming New Year, a crowd will gather in Olde Towne Portsmouth for the 12th Annual Olde Towne Scottish Walk this Thursday, December 31, 2009. The Olde Towne Scottish Walk is modeled after Scotland's Hogmanay Festival, a day when townspeople honor their community and merchants and offer blessings for prosperity in the coming year. The Olde Towne Scottish Walk, a procession of locals, family, friends an visitors led by pipe-and-drum bands, starts at Queen and Washington streets and ends at High Street Landing in Olde Towne Portsmouth. Participants will gather at 3:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Monumental United Methodist Church. After the tuning of the pipes (about 4 p.m.) the walk will make its way through the streets of Olde Towne to the foot of High Street. At High Street Landing, there will be a flag raising ceremony honoring George Washington's raising of the first flag "the Grand Union" on New Year's Day. Participants in the walk will all join hands and sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ as a way to thank the local merchants for their work in the holiday season and to wish the community ‘good luck’ in 2010. Many people are familiar with ‘Auld Lang Syne’ yet few may actually know what 'Auld Lang Syne' is all about. Of course, many people will instantly associate the words with "Scotland" or perhaps ‘New Year’. Some people consider it to be an international expression of friendship, fellowship and hope. Others perceive it to be a simple song, presented at the conclusion of a social gathering, remembering the past and re-affirming the importance of our future, and those important to us. Of course ‘Auld Lang Syne’ is ALL of these things! "Auld Lang Syne" is a Scottish poem that was written by Robert Burns in 1788 and set to the tune of a traditional folk song. It is well known in many English-speaking (and other) countries and is often sung to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight. Canadian band leader Guy Lombardo is often credited with popularizing the use of the song at New Year’s celebrations in America, through his annual broadcasts on radio and television, beginning in 1929. The song became his trademark. And, what actually is the Hogmanay Festival? Hogmanay Night, celebrated on December 31st every year, is still strong in Scotland and comprises several deep-winter activities, many of which, like Hogmanay, derive from early pagan rituals. This celebration dates back as far as the Vikings. Its roots are found in the pagan practice of fire and sun worship during the dark months of winter. Later this became the Roman celebration of 'Saturnalia' where the people celebrated without any inhibitions or restraint. The Vikings celebrated a variation of this festival and called it 'Yule' which later became the 12 days of Christmas or 'Daft Days'. Although Hogmanay is a great reason for merriment one must not forget the more benevolent values that represent the soul of Hogmanay. Hogmanay is a time for charitable goodwill and acts of kindness to one’s neighbors, a night to renew old acquaintances and to reflect on lessons learned from the past year and to make the following year a success. On that note, here’s to 2010 and a happy and prosperous year to all the readers and contributors of our blog, ‘What’s new in Olde Towne’. Happy New Year! So, come wear your warmest woolens and plaids and join in the fun. For more information, contact Susan Heeley Cocke at 757.650.3052. Be sure to look for the lighted boat parade along the Elizabeth River seawall at 8 p.m. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Throughout his hospitality career, David Cartier has been responsible for marketing destinations from Maine to Virginia. He will share the latest on the people, events and what’s happening in historic Olde Towne, Portsmouth. David, along with his wife Betsy own and operate Starboards Coffee Kiosk at High Street Landing, where they provide area information to locals, visitors and boaters alike.
 Follow Up: Under a sky of "Scottish Sunshine" several hundred people paraded through Olde Towne Portsmouth behind a bagpipe band and honor guard to the beginning of High Street at the seawall on the Elizabeth River. Auld Lang Syne was sung and a ceremonial program commemorating the Revolutionary War with a Flag Raising ceremony of the Grand Union Flag of 1776 and addresses from interpreters portraying Benoni Bradner of New York, the Rev John Braidfoot, Anglican priest from Portsmouth, and Gen Joseph Reed who delivered a message from General Washington in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The ceremonies concluded with a rousing thirteen-gun-salute as each of the original states' names were called out. The warmth of the afterglow continued down High Street and into the local pubs and eateries where music was enjoyed and new friendships were made and old ones rekindled. For some photos of the events, please click on the TITLE above or visit my Flickr Photostream > http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldetownephotos/sets/72157623003586735/