Ann McMunn Watson founded the Scottish Heritage Festival and Celtic Gathering which takes place annually at Bridgeport City Park. For nine years, she worked tirelessly organizing and facilitating the festival. Although she is no longer with us and her duties have been assumed by others, Watson’s dedicated ambitious efforts have not been forgotten. She has been chosen as one of two Benedum Fellows for 2016.
The recognition annually honors the late Michael Benedum, a notable benefactor of the Bridgeport community. Formerly under the direction of Bob Allen and now headed up by Brad Ford, the Benedum Fellows committee seeks out individuals who exemplify the exemplary character of Benedum, who was instrumental in establishing a number of city landmarks, including the Benedum Civic Center, Bridgeport Cemetery and Bridgeport United Methodist Church, among others.
Those who knew and worked with Watson confirm that she is indeed an ideal choice for the honor.
“I’ve known Ann since I was a small child. Her daughter Dee and I were friends. Flash forward a few decades and I had the pleasure of working with Ann since the inception of the Scottish Festival committee,” said Kim Sabo, current festival president.
Not only was Watson compassionate about the festival and keeping the Scotch-Irish culture alive; she was the festival, Sabo said.
Her tenacity and unwavering commitment drove our event to be one of the Top 20 festivals in the southeastern U.S., she said. “…Ann was an exacting, precise, detail oriented festival director. She delegated assignments to her board of directors and we were expected to do the job better than the year before.”
It was an honor to serve with Watson, Sabo said.
“I loved working with her because she had an exact image of how the festival should come to fruition and she made certain that we had all the information and resources to do our jobs,” she said. “I miss Ann terribly. She was an admirable role model. She understood commitment, volunteerism, and enjoying yourself along the way.”
Kevin Grant also worked with Watson with regard to the festival. He, his brothers and Watson worked with the West Virginia State Legislature to pass Grant’s brother’s design for the West Virginia State Tartan
“I found her to be a pleasant individual who had a deep pride for her heritage and a desire to share that heritage with people through various avenues including the festival. She was a dedicated and caring person.”
Her death was a tremendous loss to the community and the festival, Grant said.
Watson – who passed away Oct. 12, 2010, was known as the heart and soul of the Scottish Heritage Festival. Many facets of the culture had been woven into her life. She bred and showed Shetland sheepdogs and was passionate about playing the bagpipes, performing annually at the festival and several other events. She often played solo for funerals. She also taught others to play. In addition to her work with the Scottish festival, Watson was past president of Clarksburg League for Service and co-chair of the United Hospital Center Holly Ball. In lieu of flowers, it was requested upon her death that memorial contributions be made to the Scottish Festival & Celtic Gathering.
She and her husband Prentiss R. “PR” Watson, Jr. had two children: Dee Watson Stanford and Eric Watson. In a recent letter to Brad Ford, Benedum Fellows chair, PR Watson expressed his appreciation for his wife’s posthumous honor.
“I am sure she would have been humbled for the selection,” he said. “She would have also honored the Scottish Heritage Society and the many workers who put on the Scottish Festival and Celtic Gathering at Bridgeport City Park.”
It is at Bridgeport City Park that this year’s Benedum Fellows will be honored at the July 2 Picnic in the Park. Representing Watson will be Jim Wilson of the Scottish Heritage Society board of directors and past festival chair.
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