Tartan Day a celebration of all things Scottish
Scottish or not, there was something for everyone that attended Pittsburgh Tartan Day on April 11 at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Bethel Park.
The free annual event, which celebrates Scotland’s declaration of independence from England’s territorial claims, featured entertainment from bagpipers, fiddlers, dancers, workshops, vendors, raffles, gifts and, of course, traditional Scottish fare from meat and shepherd’s pies to biscuits, scones and Fern cakes.
“We’ve actually already sold out of our fern cakes, which is unbelievable,” said Pam Maniet, who is the chairperson of the Tartan Day celebration. “This is one of the biggest crowds I’ve seen.”
Fiona McGrath particularly enjoyed one of the newest attractions. Westie Rescue of Pennsylvania was one of two new exhibitors. The other was Britsburgh, an organization that promotes British history, culture and traditions.
The Westie Rescue is a nonprofit organization that helps rescue West Highland Terriers connect with foster families for adoptions.
“They’re just lovely dogs,” said McGrath, who is Scottish and has been a Tartan Day committee member for years.
McGrath enjoyed the popularity of this year’s Tartan Day, which in part recognized the church that hosts the event, because like the country, it’s celebrating its 250th anniversary. The church was founded by a Scottish minister.
“Because of the cooler weather this morning, we had a bit of a slow start but things really have peaked. The energy level has really picked up and people have been very enthusiastic. I’ve talked to a lot of first-time visitors and that’s always a positive to have new people attending the event.”
Cheryle Gasiorowski from Mt. Lebanon and her friends, Janice Schmac from Bridgeville and Carrie Sukal from Brentwood, attended Tartan Day for the first time. They were among the first arrivals when the doors opened at 10 a.m. The event ended at 4:30 p.m.
Gasiorowski, who has Scottish roots, purchased a scarf from the tartan store and the friends all enjoyed the music, particularly the bag pipes. The Balmoral Pipes and Drums as well as the MacDonald Pipe Band were among the featured instrumentalists along with Sean Patrick Regan, who played bagpipes as well as gave a tutorial to beginners.
“I absolutely loved it,” Gasiorowski said of Tartan Day. “The bagpipes, I have to say, were my favorite. The music was amazing.”
“I had to have my Kleenex out all the time,” said Schmac. “My request for my funeral is to have the bagpipes play Amazing Grace. Doesn’t make sense, I know but we were both tearing up. All day they played it.”
While the event also featured several dance units such as Gabriele Pealer and Heather and Thistle performing traditional Highland dances, Schmac said they reminded her of youth. “When I was little, my grandfather taught me the sword dance,” she said.
Sukal soaked it all in. Because of her friends, she has been adopted as Scottish.
“Everything’s been beautiful. … It’s just really nice to see a group of people celebrating their heritage and enjoying every aspect of it and having a great time.”
Daria Fogarty shared Schmac’s opinion. She enjoyed the treats from the Highlands with her grandmother, Jo Whittfeldt. Whittfeldt’s daughter was a bagpiper and her son was a drummer in a pipe band. Her mom’s family is from the Isle of Sky.
“Mom’s still part of the St. Andrew’s Society of Pittsburgh and my daughter still keeps in touch with her bagpipe friends. Daria doesn’t want to play them because she hears her mom play them in the house all the time,” Whittfeldt said.
“Tartan Day gives people a taste of what it is to be Scottish and learn the history and culture behind the clans. I’m trying to explain this to (Daria). What and why the tartans are different colors and how the colors came to be and the difference between the great kilt and the marching day kilt. It’s a lot, but it’s been a great day and a good event.”
Emily Jackson of Uniontown concurred. She is Scottish, hailing from the McAllister clan.
Jackson, who used to be in the MacDonald Pipe Band, also a huge fan of the popular Outlander television series and had to take a selfie with the fictional characters Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall.
“I’ve read all the books,” she said of Diana Gabaldon’s nine volume series. “The television series is true to the books except for a few things skipped over for the sake of time. They’re beautifully done.
“So is Tartan Day,” she continued. “It’s a lot of information but oh so beautiful, the demonstrations, the kilts. I love learning all about them.”
Debbie May of Bethel Park knows all about kilts as she attends Tartan Day every year. Additionally, she and her husband are members of Bethel Presbyterian Church.
“It’s a wonderful event,” she said as she looked over plaid patterns for sale from one of the vendors. “It’s really interesting. Everything is good. I enjoy coming here, getting something to eat and listening to the music. It’s always a great day.”