Ryerson Park was slowly painted plaid Saturday night, as the Piping Down the Sun celebration drew a crowd of about 150 people, many dressed in tartan kilts and Celtic dresses.
The event was a celebration of all things Scottish, says Ross Robinson, a Chautauqua resident who helped plan the evening.
“For the second year, Piping Down the Sun was an event that was fabulous. You can feel everybody pulling for it to be perfect. It’s a wonderful neighbourhood event in Chautauqua-by-the-Lake.”
The festivities kicked off with a performance by the Thorold Pipe Band, which marched through the park, followed by dancing and remarks from Robinson, Alan Dickson, incoming president of St. Andrews Society, and Lord Mayor Betty Disero.
Sentineal Carriages donated a carriage, which Robinson turned into a last-minute “R-r-r-r-aptors bandwagon.”
Robinson said it was appropriate after all the hype for the Raptors leading up to their NBA championship win.
“I laughed all last month after watching everyone — including me — jump on the bandwagon.”
He said Piping Down the Sun is going to continue as an annual event. It began last year as a celebration of life for the late Ramsay Morrison, a Chautauqua resident who Robinson says was proud of his Scottish heritage.
This year was just celebration of all things Scottish.
As a spectacular sunset settled over Lake Ontario, the evening ended with a solo performance by bagpiper David Janaszek, who also lives in Chautauqua.
