by Wendy Hunter Johnson, Clan Hunter Games & Public Event Coordinator wendyhunterjohnson@gmail.com
Clan Hunter started out strong in 2026 with representation at two large events – one on the East
Coast and one on the West Coast of the United States and seen by over 40,000 people at each.
APRIL
East Coast – David and Monique Hunter were the leaders for Clan Hunter in the New York Tartan Day Parade led by Grand Marshall actor Sam Heughan, where Clan Hunter was proudly announced to 40,000+ people watching along the route.
West Coast – Morgan represented Clan Hunter at the NorCal Celtic Festival in Woodland, California where over 40,000 visitors attended. Morgan states “It was a rain-or-shine event and we had lots of both, and a goodly number of hearty souls braved possible thunderstorms and hail to see clans, pipers & drummers, and heavy athletics, sample traditional Scottish food, taste whisky, and shop.”
There was a small table dedicated to Clan Muirhead with a sign which stated “Clan Muirhead Welcome” and a plate of Walker’s Shortbread with a sign which read “Feeding Scotland’s Kings and Queens since 1107”.
MAY
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada – Sheila Massi represented Clan Hunter at the Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival at Topaz Park where she also attended the online quarterly zoom meeting led by Madam Pauline from her booth along with her daughter. Sheila received first prize for her booth! This event stands as the longest continuously running Highland Games event in North American, dating back to 1864 and draws around 25,000 visitors.
California – Morgan represented Clan Hunter in California at the KVMR Celtic Festival in Grass Valley.
Nevada – Morgan represented Clan Hunter at the Northern Nevada Celtic Celidh.
JUNE
Georgia – Terri Olsen represented Clan Hunter at the Georgia Mountain Scottish Festival in Hiawassee, Georgia. Terri stated, “What a beautiful weekend in Hiawassee GA at the Georgia Mountain Scottish Festival. The weather was perfect and I was proud to host the Hunter booth with a group of amazing people. A huge shout out to Bill Hunter, Christa Crawford Hunter and her husband Evan and the beautiful little bairns, Kiki, Cece and Lucy. The crowd was larger than last year, I hope it continues to grow.
So many Clans stopped by and asked me to send their regards, including Scott Tucker from the Lamont Clan, and Charles Logan from the Logan Clan. Madame Pauline had quite the following here in Georgia.” One of our Clan Hunter DNA specialists, Bill Hunter, attended to contribute his knowledge.
Utah – Jonathan Aldridge represented Clan Hunter at the Utah Scottish Festival and Highland Games in Salt Lake City, Utah as they celebrated their 50th year!
Ohio – Justin and Amy Hunter represented Clan Hunter in Waynesville at Celtic Fest Ohio where they met several Hunters this year where they promoted our official Clan Hunter Membership at ClanHunterUSA.org
Ontario, Canada – Dale Hill represented Clan Hunter at the Kingsville Highland Games where one of our Clan Hunter Genealogists, Joan Hunter, volunteered to contribute her knowledge.
JULY
Ontario, Canada – Dale Hunter represented Clan Hunter at the Embro Highland Games, which always take place on Canada Day, July 1st. These are the oldest Highland Games in Ontario!
Georgia – Margaret and Greg Slaton represented Clan Hunter at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games with volunteers, Carolyn Hunter and David & Lisa Hunter. Chase Esmiol represented Clan Hunter as a participant in the games. This four-day event is considered one of the largest Highland Games in the US with between 30,000 and 40,000 attendees.
Utah – Jonathan Aldridge represented Clan Hunter at the Payson Scottish Festival where he also participated in a parade down Main Street for Clan Hunter.
Washington State – Raymond Morehead with the Muirhead Clan Society graciously shared space with Clan Hunter at the 30th annual Skagit Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival with attendance around 10,000.
Arizona – Tray represented Clan Hunter at the Flagstaff Celtic Festival.
Washington State – Corey Hunter represented Clan Hunter with our friends from the Muirhead Clan Society at the 79th Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games & Clan Gathering in Enumclaw. This is the 6th oldest Scottish Festival in the United States.
AUGUST
Ontario, Canada – Dale Hill represented Clan Hunter at the Fergus Scottish Festival. Clan Hunter turned lots of heads at this event when Actor John Hunter Bell who plays Ian on the series, Outlander, visited wearing his matching Clan Hunter tartan.
Dale Hill and actor John Hunter Bell
New York – Monique and David Hunter represented Clan Hunter at the Jamestown Celtic Festival in Mayville where David taught children about our Clan Hunter crest and history. Family and Fellowship were celebrated.
Upcoming / Pending
September 5th NewYork – Capital District Games in Altamont
September 5th – 6th California – Pleasanton Scottish Highland Gathering and Games
September 13th – 14th Washington State – Kelso Scottish Games with the Muirhead Clan Society
September 26th – 27th Arizona – Prescott Highland Games and Celtic Faire
September 26th – 27th Ohio – Ohio Renaissance Festival Highland Week
October 16th – 18th Georgia – Stone Mountain Games
October 24th – 26th Arizona – Tucson Goes Celtic
November 6th – 8th Utah – Moab Folk Festival Scots on the Rock
December 6th Virginia – Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade
December 31st Virginia – Scottish Hogmanay Walk in Portsmouth
On a personal note: Thank you to all of our Representatives and Volunteers across North America. You are all
enthusiastic, knowledgeable and just amazing people overall. Thank you for helping Clan Hunter grow and
prosper. Thank you for spreading your knowledge of our history. Thank you for being there so we can be seen.
To event goers, look for our official Flags and Banners to spot us at events.
