1885 - Civic Holiday

“Civic holiday only comes once a year, and when it comes, it brings the annual games and demonstrations of the Caledonian society of Hamilton.”

“Auld Scotia’s Games : The Caledonian Society’s Demonstration”

Hamilton Spectator   August 11, 1885¹

Beginning in 1873, the Caledonian Society began organizing an annual special celebration of the Civic Holiday in Hamilton with a major event held at Dundurn Park :

“A round dozen of years have rolled by since this was inaugurated and each year sees a better programme of games, keener competitions, larger attendance, and in every way a more successful show.

“They are decided novelties to the average citizen. Novel because they bring out a host of barelegged and nimble laddies, resplendent in gay kilts, sahes, silver-tipped daggers, hosts of medals, and all the paraphernalia of a Scotchman in his national dress. They bring out, too, the weird and plaintive music of the bagpipes, the memory of which will haunt the ears of the ordinary listener for at least a week.”¹

Among the primary attractions organized by the Caledonian Society at Dundurn Park for the 1885 Hamilton Civic holiday demonstration were the athletic games.

While many were attracted to watch the sporting competitions, for many, just being in the beautiful Dundurn Park was fine:

“Scores wandered around the grounds, stood beneath the pleasant and welcome shade of the trees, listened to the very finest brand of Thirteenth band melody , rode the roller coaster, flirted, laughed, joked, smoked, and, in fact, did everything that is generally and popularly supposed to represent and include a first class time.”¹

The new baseball diamond and seating area beside it at Dundurn park were adapted for use as a location for the athletic and dancing competitions:

“A space in front the grandstand had been roped off, and spectators were compelled to keep outside the rope or het in the stand. The games came off inside.

“The stand was well-filled, and the rope was covered with human hands.

“In the center of the roped-off space, a small stage had been erected for the competitions, dancing etc., that could not well take place on the ground. Upon this the pipers and kilted lads and lasses stood and danced all though the afternoon, while the athletic competitions went on around them.”¹

During the supper, the stage was moved closer to the grandstand for the events to take over the area as the dancing and athletic competitions had been completed:

“The Thirteenth Band played on the stage in front of the grandstand. The attendance was large, and the eternal rumble of the roller coaster filled the air.”¹

As darkness descended, the moment arrived for much-anticipated appearance of a vice-regal visitor, Canada’s official head of state:

“Shortly after nine o’clock, His Excellency the Governor-General (Lord Landsdowne) came down from the castle, marshalled by the chief of police, pipers and a standard bearer. His Lordship took a seat in the grandstand directly in front f the portable stage.

“An excellent program of Scotch dancing followed. It evidently pleased His Lordship. A bright smile sat upon his face, and he vociferously applauded each performer.

Although the Govenor-General was not on an official trip to Hamilton but was just a personal guest of Mr. Donald  McInness, at McInnis’  Dundurn Castle residence, Lord Landsdowne was asked to share a few brief words with the crowd.

He said, “Hamilton owes so much to what Scotchmen have done for her and this part of the Dominion, that I am not surprised at the people taking advantage of an opportunity to witness the national games.”¹