Caledonian Club of San Francisco

This is a formalization of the traditional "Let the Games begin."  By the time the show in the grandstand begins, the Games have been going on for a few hours already: the dancers and athletes are on tip toes, doing their thing; musicians on several stages are into their second set; the food vendors have finished the breakfast round.  So when the Chief says "Let the Games begin," it is a ceremonious beginning and a chance for the clans to march, the bands to play and the dignitaries to be dignified.

As the Games got bigger and bigger there could no longer be a point where someone declared them "begun."  Now each chairman is at his post with all of the volunteer helpers around 7 A.M., preparing their portion of this huge operation for the competing participants.  If you take an early seat in the grandstand, anticipating the first event at 10:45 you could be missing some really exciting stuff elsewhere on the grounds.  Remember that your grandstand seats are reserved and you can come and go as you please.