We in the Flint Scottish Pipe Band enjoy participating in local Community events and the weekend of June 4th we had the pleasure of participating in the Curwood Festival Heritage Parade in Owosso! We were warmly received and were even awarded the Best Musical Unit plaque!
The Curwood festival celebrate the community of Owosso, but also James Curwood, a local writer (The River’s End, The Grizzly King) and conservationist. Curwood was born in Owosso, Michigan on June 12, 1878. He spent much of his early life out of doors, and at a young age left to tour the South on a bicycle. He eventually returned to Michigan, attended the University of Michigan for two years, and went to work as a reporter and later editor at the Detroit Tribune. In 1907, Curwood returned to Owosso to focus on writing, and the next year published his first novel
In 1923, Curwood built this replica of a Norman chateau along the banks of the Shiawassee River near his mother’s home in Owosso. Construction on the building began in 1923 and was completed in 1924. Curwood used the Castle as his writing studio and office.
Photo by JoannaPoe
The Curwood Festival is part of the wonderful Owosso community and over the years, the Curwood Festival Directors have donated $25,000 to build the Heritage Footbridge, purchased 30 picnic tables for area parks, pledged $1,000 annually to the maintenance of Curwood Castle, given $3,500 to assist with the construction of a Playscape in Bentley Park, gave $1,000 to kickoff the fundraising efforts for a bronze statue of James Oliver Curwood to place in Curwood Castle Park for all to enjoy. In 2019, 40 area nonprofits, service clubs, schools, and churches raised a total of $70,112 via the fundraising opportunities available through the festival.
It is always a pleasure to participate in festivals with such rich history and community involvement.
Look for us next at
July 9th, Saline Celtic Festival, Saline
July 31st, Munger Potato Festival Parade
August 6th, St. Andrews Highland Games
August 13th, Imlay City Festival
Please stay safe. Enjoy Celtic music.
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