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Origins: 1866-1950
Origins: 1866-1950
The Caledonian Club of San Francisco was founded in 1866, a year after the end of the Civil War. The Club's first Scottish Games was held at Hayes Park on Thanksgiving Day, November 29, 1866. The event was planned in five days, yet nonetheless featured many of the traditional heavy events we still see today, as well as athletic challenges and fun events such as the blindfolded wheelbarrow race.
This painting is of the 1868 Games in Sausalito, with 4,000 people in attendance! This is the first year dancing was held at the Games.
The Petaluma Era: 1950-1961
The Petaluma Era: 1950-1961
From 1950-1954, and 1956-1961 the Games were held in Petaluma.
Estimated to be late 1950s or early 1960s in Petaluma. Do you recognize these dancers? Email us and let us know, if so!
The Santa Rosa Era: 1962-1993
The Santa Rosa Era: 1962-1993
From 1962 to 1997, the Games were held at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds fairgrounds in Santa Rosa.
1962 also marks the first year the Western United States Open Championship was held.
This photo features line up from the 1965 Games 'Best Dressed Child' competition. The young lad nearest the camera looks none to pleased with his hat, and the young lass in red featured on the cover of 1966 Games Program. Dancers pictured include #245, Jimmy Gardner, #264 Julie Rydderch, #279 George Cairney, and #316 Margaret Shankie.
Another photo from the Centenary (1965) Games. Does anyone recognize who (or what) is pictured? Our best guess is related to the Vancouver Ladies' Pipe Band, pictued below around same year.
Vancouver Ladies' Pipe Band
1964. Angus McKenzie from Victoria, BC, Canada, and Irina Monther of Redondo Beach, California.
Dancers at the Centenary Games (1965) Does anyone recognize the dancers?
1968. Angela Bishop, grandmother of recent competitor Duncan Stewardson, left. Possibly Lynsday Crolls on the right.
(No year) Ralph Ayala and Janet Short
(No year, no names)
1972. Danni Kapek (#5) and Laurel McPherson (#72)
1972. Sheena F. McLauchlan (#59)
1972. Angela T. Bishop (#6), Lillian Goldthwaite (#25), Kay Shofner Hamilton (#101). Angela also appears above in 1968.
1972. Cindy Williams (#92)
1972. Laurel McPherson (#72) and Terry Lee (#106)
1972. Patty Assony and Kimberly Cameron
1972. Jennifer Thompson (#116)
1972. Jennifer Thompson (#116)
Potential ID: Becky Bell from Vancouver
Clare Lawson receives a trophy while Penny Bruce (future US Champion) waits to come onstage.
1979. No names identified. Please email us if you have information.
1979. Shellie (Johnston) Black, from Vancouver, on the left.
1979. Highland dancers leading the Massed Bands.
1980. Competitors in a Strathspey or Reel.
1981. Rosemary Simpson of Topanga, CA, who will go on to be first runner-up at the second ever USIR in 1982
1982. The competitors in the "Baby" class. Do you recognize any of these dancers?
1982. Competitor Susie Delassandra. Editor's note: left giant for detail in her bun
1984. Tara Christensen and Mary Hokeness practice their jigs. Mary became the national champion earlier the same year!
1984. The Primary class, still called the "Baby" class, wait their turn onstage.
1984. No name given for dancer or piper. Do you recognize either?
1984. No names, but dancers identified as being from San Diego, get laced up and ready to compete.
1984. Unnamed competitors in the Sword Dance. DO you know these dancers?
1987. Lorna Steuhmeyer of Petaluma, CA, dances the Highland Fling.
1991. Kim Christensen of Seattle, Washington, competes in a Strathspey.
The Pleasanton Era - 1994 - 2019
The Pleasanton Era - 1994 - 2019
The Games moved to their current home at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in 1998.
Dancing competitions took place in the amphitheatre until 2021, save one year (2004?).
1995 or 1996. Julia Nichols, Jennie Dolen, and Lindsey MacLeod receive awards.
2003. Now Past Chief George McCombe announces the results of the competition.
2003. Simone Gingras (#204) poses in front of a heavily-laden trophy table.
2003. Vincent Collins and Lawren Wylie perform a 1920s themed chreography
1999. Cullen Hafner wins the Best Bay Area Dancer trophy.
2003. In the 1990s and 2000s a second stage was built alongside the amphitheathre to accommodate five stages of dancing during the weekend! Pictured are Jessica (Bach) McElhaney from Sacramento, CA (current co-chair of the competition), and Allison ??? from San Dimas, CA.
Mid-2000s. Dancers Lawren Wylie and Alexis Campbell-Craven perform on the side stage in the amphitheatre area.
2003. Dancers line up for awards. Pictured are Lauren Cooper (#202), Nicolette Harter (#208), Simone Gingras (#204). Do you know the names of any of the other dancers pictured?
Mid 2000s. A lovely leap exexcuted by Lawren Wylie.
Dancers perform at Closing Ceremonies, including Trisha (MacConnel) Bacon, Devon Yip, Lauren Cooper, Simone Gingras, and Debbie Means.
Mid-2000s. Kyla Groeschel, Norine Harmon, and Jamie Kitz.
2003. Dancers compete in a Strathspey and Reel. Picuted are Cosette Aguirre (#222) and Melanie Roof (#221).
2003. Dancers compete in a Seann Triubhas.
2003. Dancers compete in a Highland Fling, including Vincent Collins (#248) and Maggie Thomas (#245).
2003
2003. Lawren Wylie (#243) and Vincent Collins (#248)
2003. Dancers compete in a Strathspey and Reel. Left to right are Maggie Thomas, Jessica Kraus, unknown, and Kelley Harris.
2003. Awards are distributed to dancers in a young age group.
2003. Dancers Lauren Cooper (#202), Simone Gingras (#204), and Cosette Aguirre (#222) compete in the Sword Dance.
Mid 2000s. Young dancers compete in what looks to be Pas de Basques. This was the year dancing was not held in the amphitheatre.
Mid-2000s. Andie Watson is dancer 305.
Mid-2000s. Unidentified dancer.
2005. Premier 16 & Over Championship group during awards in the amphitheatre.
2005. Competitors in 16 & Over Premier group.
Chief Charles McNiven presents multi-time World Champion Erin Blair with the Chief's trophy!
2014. Dancers perform the Highland Laddie as a Salute to the Chief, at a very crowded Closing Ceremonies.
The COVID Era - 2020
The COVID Era - 2020
A virtual weekend of workshops was held to continue to tradition, despite not being able to be present together.
We were able to bring together instructors and participants from all over the world, including former judges and champions.
Modern Era - 2021 - Present
Modern Era - 2021 - Present
Since returning in 2021, the Highland dancing competition has been located around the fairgrounds, settling into its current home in building R in 2025.
2023. Set up help from the Operations Team.
2023's 23 & Over Scottish National Dance Premiership dancers.
2023 CCSF Chief's Highland Laddie Challenge Finalists competing on the main stage during Massed Bands.
2021 - Finalists from the CCSF Chief's Highland Laddie Challege sign Auld Lange Syne on the stage at Massed Bands with the Chief.
A friendship bracelet swap held during the 2024 Games.
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