Oshawa Games dampened by suspected tornado
Highland Games returned to the city of Oshawa, Ontario, for the first time in more than 30 years, but bad weather put a dark cloud on an otherwise stellar inaugural event including a suspected tornado that worked to destroy one drummer’s van.
Karissa Whiting, a tenor-drummer with the Grade 1 78th Fraser Highlanders, had the misfortune of a tree falling on her vehicle’s back-end, making the van a write-off, while several others were hit with large hailstones.
The solo competitions were halted for more than 30 minutes in the morning when lightning lit up the area. After similar weather hit last year’s North American Championships, the Pipers & Pipe Band Society of Ontario implemented a formal policy on dangerous weather designed to mitigate risk.
One attendee described the venue as a “fabulous park,” and went on to say, “Such a shame about the weather, because I think this could be one of the very best games on the circuit.”
Looks like the cost of attending the games is going up. We’re not in Kansas anymore……
Lakeview park is one of the best locations I’ve ever attended for a games. Although there was some bad weather and the crowd was a little thin; hats off to the organizers. I hope this one stays on the curcuit.
Looks like the cost of attending the games is going up. We’re not in Kansas anymore……
Lakeview park is one of the best locations I’ve ever attended for a games. Although there was some bad weather and the crowd was a little thin; hats off to the organizers. I hope this one stays on the curcuit.