There may not be a haggis eating contest, but there’s a whole lot of Scottish going on at Silver Star Mountain Resort.
From now to July 20, North America’s largest bagpipe, drumming, and highland dance school, the Piping Hot Summer Drummer, marches into Silver Star’s colourful village with more than 300 participants looking to sharpen their skills.
Members of the highly decorated Simon Fraser University Pipe Band, including Jack Lee, J. Reid Maxwell, and the current world champion David Wilton, lead old and young through fun and informative training sessions.
This is the 19th year the event has taken place at Silver Star and it’s always a favourite with the staff and community, said resort services manager Robin Baycroft.
“You always feel really important when you walk around the resort. Everywhere you go you are being piped in,” joked Baycroft. “The event is very important for us as it brings families who book out hotel rooms, dine in the restaurants, and take part in the activities.”
There are a few free opportunities for the public to head up to enjoy the sights of Silver Star and the sounds of the drums and bagpipes.
Today and July 20 at 10 a.m., there is a massed band and march through Silver Star village, and on Sunday at 7:30 p.m., the instructors will put on a show in Silver Star’s National Altitude Training Centre.
A student ceilidh (Gaelic for social gathering) will also take place in the Chilcoot Conference Centre on Thursday at 7 p.m. with the young musicians performing.
More information on the Piping Hot Summer Drummer School is available at www.phsd.net.
