Hogman-eh! rings in 2017

The Scottish Society of Ottawa has been throwing a hogmanay party for five straight years now.  For the third year, it was held at the Aberdeen Pavilion in Lansdowne Park.

Each time it gets bigger and better.  With this year's "Hogman-eh!" coinciding with big celebrations on Parliament Hill to launch Canada's 150th birthday party, the organizers wondered if the public would come out in big numbers. They soldiered on with the set up at the Aberdeen pavilion. The banners...

The stage...

And a team led by Jenny Bruce, who is travelling the world displaying "The Scottish Diaspora Tapestry."

The tapestry was woven by over a thousand people in some 34 countries where Scots have travelled and made an impact.

On the afternoon of "Old Year's Eve," guests and dignitaries gathered at the Horticulture building in Lansdowne Park for the official opening of Hogman-eh!  Environment and Climate Minister Catherine McKenna was among those to launch the event.

The focus of the show then shifted across the way to the Aberdeen Pavilion, where highland dancers and First Nations dancers took turns performing on the centre stage.

The entertainment for the "Great Scot Kids Zone" included magicians, face-painters, and light jugglers.

Even Princess Merida, from the Disney film Brave, made an appearance -- very popular with the kids of all ages!

At midnight in Scotland, which is 7 p.m. in Ottawa, the kids gather at one end of the Aberdeen pavilion.  A pipe band parades them to the the front of the main stage.

The countdown for "Happy New Year," and the traditional singing of "Auld Lang Syne" completed, the kids scrambled to gather the blue and white balloons dropped from the rafters.

Celebrating New Year's at 7 p.m. proved a great hit with the kids -- and with parents who could now take them home and put them to bed while the rest of the Hogman-eh! performances continued.

Meanwhile, just outside on the Lansdowne Park Skating Rink, in a quieter setting, some celebrated the New Year on the ice.

Flash mob o’ kids greets balloons

 Meanwhile, back inside, Dancin’ lit up Centre Stage:

Entertainers

charmed delighted fans

The musicians charmed us all.

Stewart’s Glen, with guest fiddler Anna Ludlow

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take in the rest of the Hogman-eh! celebrations, including fireworks, performances by many musicians, including The Barra MacNeils, and the proclamation by Mayor Jim Watson that January is Scottish Month in Ottawa.  I'll add pictures from others in the coming weeks.  But in the meantime, let me wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous 2017. See you all at the kilt skates!