FERGUS – Thousands of visitors the world over came to take part in the 67th annual Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games last weekend.
The events began Aug. 11, with a well-attended parade in the downtown; a spectacle of all things Scottish to encourage local participation.
“The parade was so much fun and I hope it brings out more local people from the area to be a part of this great event,” said Jackie Greig, a member of the festival’s board of directors.
Restaurants and pubs featured live music by main-stage performers playing throughout the festival weekend, and there was also live music on the street throughout Friday afternoon, plus a Saturday night concert at the Fergus Grand Theatre. Locals and visitors alike had the opportunity to hear acts like David Leask and James McKie, Ed Miller and Friends, and favored local musicians Janice Howie and Nick Gush.
A free shuttle service to Belwood’s Highland Pines campground, with stops in Elora and Fergus, brought visitors of each community to the festival grounds at the Centre Wellington Sportsplex.
The Friday Night Tattoo was a musical highlight of tradition and celebration. The ceremonies featured the 48th Highlanders, founded in 1891, who showcased their proud military heritage in grand style.
The band of the Royal Regiment of Canada, the oldest permanently-organized band of the Canadian Forces, also joined in the festivities. As did the Burlington Teen Tour Band, which has earned international acclaim, and hometown favourite, the Fergus Pipe Band.
Canadian acts like Cape Breton’s Tommy Leadbeater, Fergus duo Howie and Gush, and five-time Juno nominee John McDermott, who silenced the audience with a his legendary rendition of Danny Boy, added to the atmosphere of the evening, led by emcee Denis Snowdon.
With a formal Tribute to the Homeland and Rallying of the Clans, the crowd was lit up with the glow of candlelight, while the evening went off with a bang in a fireworks finalé.
Saturday and Sunday featured more music as the backdrop of two solid days of all things Scottish. From the Heavy Events competition, including intense moments of sheer strength, and the tug of war event, to the skillful steps of highland dancers and the pipers and pipe band competitions, the spirit of the games was a high point for the crowds.
But also popular were the genealogy tent and Avenue of the Clans, complete with demonstrations and lectures about a variety of topics, such as Scottish artisans, traditions, and heritage. Also included was a presentation by musician Stuart Cameron, about the legacy of his father, the late John Allan Cameron (who was honorary chieftain of the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games for 20 years) and his contribution to Canadian music – a highlight event that also featured Leadbeater.
Fan favorite Diana Gabaldon, best-selling author of The Outlander series, had long line-ups as readers waited for an autograph after she read from her latest work.
The festival included the popular McKiddies Centre, an area devoted to the young and young at heart, featuring sword fights against the cast of the Blackthorn Productions troupe, live music, crafts, and face-painting.
For the Tombs family of Campbellford, the annual festival has quickly become a part of their summer tradition, despite having no determined ties to Scottish heritage.
“We brought the children last year and they loved it. They haven’t stopped talking about it since last year,” said Shannon Tombs. “We will definitely be back. For us, it’s a great atmosphere, with the events, the music and the heritage of it.”
Tombs’ 7-year-old son, Ethan, who competed in the children’s heavy events, has his own desire to return.
“I want to do the caber toss again,” Ethan said.
The family sentiment was echoed by the Williamson family, of Cambridge, a family of five with three boys donning the Gunn tartan to represent their father’s Scottish heritage. Their mother, Nicole, of Jamaican decent, enjoys bringing her family to the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games.
“This shows them the roots of their culture and their heritage, and that’s important,” she said.
Her husband, Scott, agreed, adding, “I love the strength of the events, of the whole line-up here. And the kids love the bagpipes. It’s a great time for all of us.”
For Greig, it proves a year’s worth of work has been successful.
“I am so thrilled at the number of people here from all over,” she said. “It’s fantastic. People are smiling, the parking lots are full, vendors are busy, and the feeling is great.”
She credits the hard work of an enormous number of volunteers in place throughout the weekend.
“Without the volunteers, this would not happen. They are so amazing. I can’t say enough about them. And the organizing team too,” Greig said.
“It stems from the leadership of our president, Warren Trask, who has been everywhere this weekend, chipping in wherever he is needed. And the event management team of Ralph Bassett and Associates, who have been the pinnacle of this event; it has all made this weekend a success, and I am so happy to be a part of it.”
