Boston has once more been occupied by the United Kingdom, albeit rather happily this time. For the last week, tens of thousands of “Tartan Army” soldiers have descended on the city with World Cup zeal, good cheer, and an unparalleled thirst for beer. The occasion, of course, is Scotland’s first appearance in the World Cup since 1998, accompanied by its first World Cup victory since 1990 after June 13’s 1-0 win over Haiti.
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Scotland’s first World Cup win in 36 years led to an impromptu victory lap of the city, bagpipes and all, and historic sales for restaurants and pubs. A full parade of raucous, singing Scots with bagpipes and kilts marched to Fenway Park on Sunday, where they threw in support for the Red Sox against the Texas Rangers. The Scottish fans have brought an animated energy to the city of Boston, and its residents have embraced it for the singular event that it is.
Sam Adams — the beer, not the Son of Liberty — said the Scots drank four times as much Boston Lager as it normally sells during a typical holiday weekend four-day stretch. Sam Adams’ Boston Taproom and several other establishments, Hennessy’s Bar and The Dubliner to name a few, even ran out of beer altogether, forcing emergency deliveries before the next wave of celebration.
“The fans have been unbelievable. They’re great — fun, drinking, partying — having a great time,” said Paul Morris of the White Bull Tavern. Hennessy’s reportedly tripled its St. Patrick’s Day sales as well.
Scotland is due to play Morocco on Friday with a chance to keep its World Cup run alive, and for the celebration to continue on.
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As fun and energetic as the Scottish fans have been, they have also contributed back to the New England area that welcomed them. Scottish fans staying in Providence, a short trip away from the World Cup stadium in Foxborough, have donated nearly $30,000 to Hasbro Children’s hospital and other local causes. The economic boost has also been noticeable, with one Tartan Army organizer estimating that Scottish visitors could bring tens of millions in spending to Providence’s restaurants and hospitality sector.
The Scottish takeover of Boston has been refreshing for a reason. The Scots did not, for instance, turn Boston into a mini-warzone as some Knicks fans and New Yorkers did to their city on Sunday. In New York, the happiness of the Knicks winning the championship for the first time in 53 years quickly turned into violence and mayhem. Good public celebrations do not need police in riot gear to quell violence or firefighters putting out school bus fires, and Boston’s visitors are proof.
The Scots have been loud and proud, drunk, and impossible to miss, but they have not been ugly. There is a spontaneity to their national pride and love of their team that demonstrates what a well-intentioned public celebration should look like. It can be rowdy, but it is also cheerful; it can be overwhelming, but it is also inviting.
As America approaches its 250th birthday, it is good to be reminded that public celebration and appreciation of our nation does not have to look like corporate or government sterilizing of fun, and it also should not look like violence and mayhem. Good cheer, liveliness, and respect for what is being celebrated are what it is really about.
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