Thousands of visitors came to the grounds of the John Blue House Saturday to attend the inaugural Scotland County Highland Games, and many of them came early.

"By 10 a.m., when I saw the parking lot filling up rapidly, I knew this is was going to be good," Games Chairman Bill Caudill said. "I am bowled over by how well everything went; we couldn't have asked for a better beginning."

Ticket vendors estimated that between 7000 and 8000 people attended the well publicized festival.

"As far as local impact is concerned, the event was very significant," Caudill said. "I was told that every hotel room in Laurinburg was booked for the weekend."

Among the thousands who attended the Highland Games was Nan Johnson of Laurinburg.

"It was a wonderful event, and I was so thrilled with the crowd," Johnson said. "We particularly enjoyed the children's games with those little kids in their kilts. They were just adorable. My husband and I enjoyed it tremendously, and I am really looking forward to next year."

In addition to the traditional athletic competition, music, and food of the event, among the memories Johnson will keep from the festival was the opportunity to reunite with old friends.

"I saw people there I hadn't seen in a long time," Johnson said, "and as soon as I arrived I began meeting people and talking. Sen. BiIl Purcell gave me a hug, as did a lot of others at the clan tents and at the vendors' booths. It was great to get reacquainted with everyone; you might say I had a 'hugging good time' at the games."

Following a wrapup meeting next week, the planning committee for the event will take a short break before beginning plans for the 2010 festival.

"We will be looking at several options for next year, evaluating what went right and what can be improved for next time," Caudill said. "We will be lining up volunteers for the 2010 games in the near future, so anyone interested is welcome to become involved. The sooner we get you on board, the earlier we can get started."

For more information contact Caudill at the Scottish Heritage Center of St. Andrews Presbyterian College at 277-5236.

More coverage of the Scotland County Highland Games will appear in Wednesday's Laurinburg Exchange.