Mòd nan Lochan Mòra/The Great Lakes Mod kicked off this year’s North American mòd season at Akron, Ohio, in the middle of June.

Participants gathered Friday night for a pot-luck supper followed by sight-reading, storytelling, and poetry competitions adjudicated by Angus MacLeod, winner of the men’s Bonn Òr a’ Chomuinn at the 2014 Royal National Mòd in Scotland. Saturday saw the singing competitions, which included both a prescribed song competition and open competitions, and a performance by Còisir Ghàidhlig Ohio.

Mike Mackay came in first in the open song competition, followed by Anne Alexander, organizer of Mòd nan Lochan Mòra, and Sharon McWhorter, who tied for second. Hilary NicPhàidein took first in storytelling, followed by Mike; and Hilary and Cam MacRae tied in the poetry competition.

Cam placed first in sight-reading, followed by Anne and then Hilary. As is usual in mòd competitions, the adjudicator gave oral and written comments to all participants whether they were competing or auditing.

The North Carolina Provincial Gaelic Mòd will take place at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games July 8, and the season will end with a flourish with the 30th annual U.S. National Mòd and first ACGA Fèis in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, Sept. 21-24.

And finally, don’t forget Scotland’s Royal National Mòd, a ten-day annual event that this year will be held in Lochaber, Scotland, Oct. 13-21.