We scheduled four events for the 2024 season. Unfortunately, we had to back out of the first event. While loading the car for the Smoky Mountain Games, I incurred an injury that prevented me from continuing into the weekend. The next scheduled event was the Greenville Games and Great Scot parade, May 24-25. We made the trip to Upstate Carolina and setup with the help of other members.

The Greenville weather was perfect for the Great Scot parade on Friday, as friends and family joined us through downtown Greenville. The activities on Saturday were very well attended. We had a packed tent again and were greeted by three Forrester cousins from my Isaac Esq. line who lived in the area. This year, a brother, two nephews, and JD joined in the parade of tartans. Visitors to the tent were encouraged to join Clan Forrester Society and two agreed to participate in DNA testing. One, a 1C1R, has since received his results and joined both surname projects. As usual, the Memorial Day honors during Gallabrae were very moving and beyond impressive. On Sunday, before leaving, I was honored to receive a gift from a cousin…original copies of Vol I and Vol II of The House of Forrester. Thank You Jim!

Organizers were trying to restart the defunct Glasgow Games in the form of the Park City KY Games to be held the weekend after the Greenville Games. Unfortunately, they were not able to pull it off but will try again next year. Reasons for not having the event were not given, but reportedly trying to charge $300 for a tent space might have been a factor. Sponsors, more large sponsors please!

The final event of the season came off better than expected. The Middle Tennessee Games in Hendersonville, TN, across the Cumberland River from Nashville, were more spread out compared to last year, including more vendors and food trucks. Along with a big increase in the number of convening clans, there were more bands and athletes participating. Attendance on Saturday was surprisingly high. Not surprisingly, attendance on Sunday was very low despite near perfect weather for such an event. Clan Sinclair was the honored clan this year, so their President Emeritus was in attendance. A confab around the Sinclair/Forrester Scottish connection seems to be an annual event in our tent at these games. Their President is also a co-founder of the Greenville Games, so we had extended conversations about what makes those games so successful.