Main Street Parade Launches Scottish Games

Written by Bob Dill

Jun 13, 2007 at 12:00 AM

The clouds billowed and the winds came but no rain dampened the spirits of participants or spectators when the colorful parade down Greenville’s Main Street began at 6 p.m. on Friday. This was the second year for the games in Greenville County and the parade on the city’s Main Street was much larger, well organized and more colorful than the first year. Sponsorship parade float makes colorful scene. Rather than marching up-hill and ending abruptly at a street filled with tents and food concessions, as was the case in 2006, the parade was reversed . It began rather than ending at the Hyatt and ended at the Peace Center for an outdoor concert on the grounds. The trek was much easier for the participants, especially the very young and seasoned citizens unaccustomed to rigorous exercise. The cloud cover and stiff breeze kept the flags waving and added to the comfort of the record crowd of spectators lining the street and perched on structures watching the expanded colorful parade led by Greenville’s own pipes and drums and the massed colors of the participating countries.    On Saturday, a record crowd faced the 97 degree temperatures   to attend the games on the campus of Furman University.  When the massed bands assembled for the last time in Greenville in 2007, there was agreement, the 2007 Greater Greenville Scottish Games and Highland Festival was a great success and planning will begin immediately for the return of the games in 2008.