Fling at the Forks a fun time
By Erin Perkins
More than 150 Scottish pipe band participants and hundreds more spectators, enthusiasts and supporters packed into Grand Forks this past weekend for the Fling at the Forks Pipe Band Spring Fling 2012.
The weekend began on Friday, May 4 with good food, a pub crawl and some public performances. The more public events happened on Saturday, May 5 with a parade through Grand Forks that morning. The parade included all the bands, who individually marched from the Legion to Market Avenue before stopping in front of City Hall. They then gathered all together en masse to the middle of Market Avenue to play in unison.
The affect was completely surreal. Nobody missed a beat as they played Amazing Grace to a stunned and speechless crowd.
The event, which was sponsored by the Grand Forks Pipes and Drums, ended with a competition and dinner. For the competition, the aggregate trophy winner was Kamloops Pipe Band Society.
The March was won by Kamloops Pipe Band Society, second to Kalamalka Highlanders of Vernon and third to Shuswap Pipes and Drums. The Dress and Deportment award went to Kalamalka Highlanders of Vernon, second to Shuswap Pipes and Drums and third to Trail Pipe Band. The Medley award went to Kamloops Pipe Band Society, second to Kalamalka Highlanders of Vernon and third to Shuswap Pipes and Drums. The Dance award went to Kootenay Kilties Pipe Band of Nelson, second to Kamloops Pipe Band Society and third to Trail Pipe Band. The Skit award went to Kalamalka Highlanders of Vernon, second to Kelowna Pipe Band and third to Kootenay Kilties Pipe Band of Nelson.
