Come to Elizabeth Colorado!

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The 2014 Elizabeth Celtic Festival is this weekend, and we’re hoping to see many of our Colorado cousins there. Gates open at 9 am Saturday, and the festival lasts until 4 pm Sunday. Clan Thompson will be there, just look for our booth in Clan Row.

From left, Lowell Thompson, Michael Thompson, Sean Thompson

From left, Lowell Thompson, Michael Thompson, Sean Thompson

The Elizabeth festival is very clan friendly, and very suitable for families, children and anyone interested in Scottish, Irish, Welsh, or other Celtic family history. There will be booths, food, drink, music, and much more. One of the highlights will be the Scottish athletic competitions, in which our own Lowell Thompson usually shines.

There are pubs, grass, trees (shade) and lots of sunshine, so please bring water and sunscreen. Elizabeth is an easy drive from Denver or Colorado Springs, and close enough for you to attend, I hope. Looking forward to seeing many of our Colorado Thompsons!

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Pikes Peak Celtic Festival

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From left, Bob Thompson, Clan Genealogist Maggie Jones, Colorado Commissioner Michael Thompson, and Timothy Thompson, attending the Pikes Peak Celtic Festival in Colorado Springs Colorado.

From left, Bob Thompson, Clan Genealogist Maggie Jones, Colorado Commissioner Michael Thompson, and Timothy Thompson, attending the Pikes Peak Celtic Festival in Colorado Springs Colorado.

Clan Thompson Colorado was represented at the Pikes Peak Celtic Festival in Colorado Springs over the weekend. This is our first time at this event, which was revived last year by the organizers of a similar festival that was suspended in 1999. Many of the attendees were grateful for a Celtic event in this area of Colorado, which has been underrepresented in recent years.

Albannach was the headline band, and there was lots of other great music besides food, drink and vendors. Of course, the clans were there and Thompson was at the head of the line. Our genealogist/family history expert, Maggie Jones was a very popular partner for conversation as so many people were unaware of their roots and history. Many interested people stopped by the clan tent for a chat and a dram of Scottish hospitality.

We are hearing good things from the headquarters of Clan Thompson International about the enthusiasm of Thompsons in Colorado, and we’re looking forward to continuing that momentum. If you are not an official member of Clan Thompson yet, now is your chance to sign up. If you are, get on the Forum and let the rest of the Thom(p)sons worldwide about the excitement building in Colorado.

The Reivers Ride Again!

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Clan Thompson at Colorado Tartan Day

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The Festival Season in Colorado is underway once again. (No, I didn’t say Festivus.) We start early in the mountain states, with Tartan Day, the first week in April. We’ve generally had good weather, though it snowed two feet one year and we have had rain and wind more than once.

Genealogist Maggie Jones and Colorado Commissioner Michael Thompson welcome attendees to the Thompson clan tent.

Genealogist Maggie Jones and Colorado Commissioner Michael Thompson welcome attendees to the Thompson clan tent.

This year it was in a new venue. The festival moved from Hyland Hills Golf Course to McIlvoy Park in Olde Town Arvada a few years ago. This year, it was held at Roosevelt Park in Longmont. Lots more room, which was handy for the hurling match between the Colorado Fenians and the Denver Gaels, our local GAA clubs.

Of course, the clans were in attendance, and there was lots of fun and fellowship. The Renaissance Scots are always a treat, and we had some Robbie Burns tunes and some excellent harp music for entertainment. Can’t forget the beer, provided by Oskar Blues, a local craft brewery.

Our clan genealogist, Maggie Jones, provided lots of great information and a welcoming atmosphere at the clan tent. It was a great time and a great kickoff. Look for us at the Pikes Peak Celtic Festival in Colorado Springs in June.

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Have you renewed your membership?

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Bob Thompson out and about and representing the Clan.

Bob Thompson out and about and representing the Clan.

Met up with a fellow Clan Thompson member over the weekend at a friend’s party. It was a great time, with music, food, drink, and great fellowship. But in the conversation, he mentioned that he didn’t remember renewing his membership in the Clan this year.

Mary Thompson, our valiant and resourceful Secretary, sends out renewals, but it’s easy to lose track of them or forget to follow up. So here’s another reminder to renew today. (HINT: If you haven’t joined, then it’s definitely past time to do that.) Pop by the web site today and make sure your membership is up-to-date.

Clan Thompson International does so many things for us, and a lot of it depends on faithful volunteers, who give thousands of hours of their time to support the restoration of our noble history. But parts of it still take money, and a large portion of that comes from the membership dues. Won’t you take a moment today to join or renew? It’s a great way to support your Clan and all the efforts these people have made on your behalf.

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Clan Thompson Colorado rides again in Estes Park

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Clan Thompson activities in Colorado got their start at the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park, and it has been one of our best venues ever since. We participate in a number of festivals and games in Colorado, but this one is the biggest. We met plenty of old and new friends and cousins and had a great time in this setting, which is so reminiscent of the highlands of Scotland.

We were honored to have so many Thom(p)sons marching with us in the parade, including Satin, the wonder horse.

We were honored to have so many Thom(p)sons marching with us in the parade, including Satin, the wonder horse.

One of the highlights of this festival is the parade through downtown Estes Park. People line the streets eight and ten deep to watch the clans and bands pass by. We had been saying for years that Thompson is a riding clan, and therefore we should ride horses in the parade. We finally managed this year, and led off our contingent with a Percheron mare named Satin, who helped carry our banner proudly. She was the hit of the crowd.

Visitors to the clan tent were fascinated by the poster describing Reiver families.

Visitors to the clan tent were fascinated by the poster describing Reiver families.

We’ve also been very gratified with the response to a poster explaining about Reiver families, made by Mary Thompson. Many people stop by and are entranced to see their family name among the riding clans. It’s a great conversation starter, and helped us cement relations with many of the other Reiver clans.

Byron Thompson and his family stopped by to chat at the clan tent, as they have done many times in the past.

Byron Thompson and his family stopped by to chat at the clan tent, as they have done many times in the past.

It’s always good to renew acquaintances at these games, and this one was no exception. Byron Thompson stopped by the tent some years ago and has been a member ever since. He works in the Tartan Information tent, and took some literature to add to their files about the history of Thompson and our tartans.

Dougal Thomson was adopted into the clan by Parker and his family

Dougal Thomson was adopted into the clan by Parker and his family

One of the highlights of the Estes Park festival is their focus on dogs. There are events where dogs herd sheep and perform complicated tasks. There are booths where different breeds are highlighted. And there are even some rescue dogs available for adoption. Parker and Jeanette Thomson couldn’t resist the charms of one particular Irish Terrier, and so Dougal Thomson became the newest member of the clan.

Parker Thomson does the sword dance, accompanied by Sean Thompson on the pipes and a member of a nearby clan on bodhrán.

Parker Thomson does the sword dance, accompanied by Sean Thompson on the pipes and a member of a nearby clan on bodhrán.

With the Colorado Thom(p)sons, there’s always music, and this year was no exception. We had some informal sessions at the tent, including one where Sean Thompson, our official bagpiper, began to play. Then Parker Thomson began to dance, and we even recruited a drummer from a clan down the row to join us. Always a good time to be had, and we hope we advanced the cause of Clan Thompson at this year’s games.

 

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See you in Estes Park!

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Clan Thompson gathered in Estes Park Colorado for our 2011 Annual General Meeting.

Clan Thompson gathered in Estes Park Colorado for our 2011 Annual General Meeting.

Clan Thompson has had a presence in Colorado since Tom and Mary Thompson traveled here from Tennessee in 2008 to meet up in Estes Park with Dan “Booner” Thompson who had been appointed Colorado Commissioner the previous year. They met many people interested in the history of our clan, which is documented back to the 1500s at least, and certainly existed before that.

Because of the event, the annual gathering at Estes Park, officially known as the Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival, has held a special place in our festival season.  We hope you can stop by booth #60 in the Lower/North clan tent and say hello to some Thom(p)son cousins. The festival runs September 5-8 at the Fairgrounds near Lake Estes. There are many enjoyable events and lots of great music, besides the opportunity to help us continue the growth of Clan Thompson in the Rocky Mountain area. Hope to see you there.

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Colorado Thompsons at 2013 Scottish games

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Colorado Thom(p)sons were well represented at the 2013 Rocky Mountain Highland Games and Colorado Scottish Festival, August 10 and 11 in Highlands Ranch Colorado. Winter Park residents Parker and Jeanette Thomson spent a fun day with us Saturday, despite the heat, which was even worse for them, coming from the cooler elevations as they do.

From left, Lowell Thompson, Michael Thompson, Sean Thompson

From left, Lowell Thompson, ready to compete in the games, Michael Thompson, Colorado Commissioner, and Sean Thompson, our official bagpiper.

We talked to a number of Thompsons, some of whom we had met at previous festivals, and explained a lot about the history of the Border Reivers. Many Americans are unfamiliar with this part of our Scottish heritage and are fascinated to find their names on the list of Border clans.

Lowell Thompson sports his Clan Thompson tee-shirt and the silver plate awarded him as best athlete overall at the festival.

Lowell Thompson sports his Clan Thompson tee-shirt and the silver plate awarded him as best athlete overall at the festival.

Thompsons were represented musically by the band, Mulligan Stew, in our second year at this festival, athletically by Lowell Thompson, who took first place in a number of events and was named Best Overall athlete for the competition.

Colorado Commissioner Michael Thompson officiated at the Kirking of the Tartans Sunday morning.

Colorado Commissioner Michael Thompson officiated at the Kirking of the Tartans Sunday morning.

One of the highlights of these festivals is the camaraderie of the other clans, along with the pageantry enjoyed by the spectators. This festival is particularly friendly to the clans, and always takes good care of us. Hope you can join us at a future event.

Parker Thomson (left) and Michael Thompson "discuss" the lowland origins of Clan Thompson using historically appropriate basket hilt claymore swords.

Parker Thomson (left) and Michael Thompson “discuss” the lowland origins of Clan Thompson using historically appropriate basket hilt claymore swords.

 

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Clan Thompson at Elizabeth Celtic Festival

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Lowell Thompson joined us at the Clan tent, during a break in the athletic competition at which he always does well.

Lowell Thompson joined us at the Clan tent, during a break in the athletic competition at which he always does well.

Clan Thompson had a great time at the Elizabeth Celtic Festival, July 20 and 21, 2013. This festival was held in Kiowa Colorado for many years, but has been held at a nicer venue in nearby Elizabeth the past few times. This is Clan Thompson Colorado’s third year at this festival.

One of the interesting features of our conversations this year was the number of people asking about the Border Reivers poster put together by Mary Thompson, which lists the border clans. Many people recognized their family names but had not realized they were borderers before this.

This is not one of the larger festivals, but is always a friendly place to reconnect with many of our friends from the other clans, and meet new Thom(p)sons from around the area. Hope you can join us in future years.

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Clan Thompson well represented at Colorado Tartan Day

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Well, Thompsons were out in force and had a great time at Colorado Tartan Day April 6. I tried out my first attempt at lowland garb at the festival, though I did wear the Thompson kilt to the whisky tasting the night before. Parker brought a basket-hilt claymore he’s working up as part of the Reiver theme.


Some viewers thought this photo was more “full frontal” than necessary.


From left, Jamey White of Clan Mackay, Monty Waggoner of Clan Campbell, me, and Robert Sickler, our host and tutor in the joys of single malt.

We marched in the parade of clans with pride in our heritage.

Parker was showing off his new Clan Thompson Reiver tee-shirt at the clan tent. Timothy Thompson and Lyndell Thompson were admiring his style.

Sean Thompson, who has piped for us at many clan gatherings, took first place in the “Kitchen Piping” contest. Part of the fun was when he and another piper were challenged to play a tune together.

A great time with great folks, and we got at least one new member out of the deal. Tartan Day is a great way to start the festival season.

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Colorado Tartan Day

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Clan Thompson Colorado getting ready for Colorado Tartan Day April 6

We hope you can join us for Colorado Tartan Day, Saturday, April 6 in McIlvoy Park. That’s in Olde Town Arvada and has been the site of this festival celebrating Scottish culture for several years now.

Colorado Tartan Day is a wonderful celebration of our Scottish heritage

 

Tartan Day is a celebration of Scottish heritage on April 6, the date on which the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320.

In 1982, under the auspices of the New York Caledonian Club, New York State GovernorHugh Carey, and New York City Mayor Ed Koch declared July 1, 1982, as Tartan Day, a one-time celebration of the 200th anniversary of the repeal of the Act of Proscription of August 12, 1747, the law forbidding Scots to wear tartan.

On March 9, 1986, a ‘Tartan Day’ to promote Scottish heritage in Canada, was proposed at a meeting of the Federation of Scottish Clans in Nova Scotia.[1] Jean Watson, President of Clan Lamont, petitioned provincial legislatures to recognize April 6 as Tartan Day.[1] The first such proclamation was by Nova Scotia in April 1987; other provinces followed suit until Quebec was the last to fall in line, in December 2003.[1]

In Australia, wearing tartan on July 1 has been encouraged since 1989. The day has been promoted as International Tartan Day in Australia since 1996[2] and has been formally recognized by many states, but not at national level. The United States Senaterecognized April 6 as Tartan Day in 1998.

Come join Clan Thompson Colorado and other Scottish clans, along with the Renaissance Scots, vendors, bagpipe bands, musical groups, dancers and much more, 9 am to 5 pm in Olde Town Arvada.

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