FERGUS – This year’s Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games, one of the most popular events in the region, has been cancelled.
“It is with heavy hearts that … [we] announce the cancellation of the 2020 festival and postponement of the 75th anniversary,” states an April 11 press release from organizers.
Festival president David Radley said the board of directors had “maintained spirited yet cautious optimism that we would be able to once again do what we do best – host a world class Scottish Festival and Highland Games.
“Our priority, however, is to encourage the ongoing recovery efforts due to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that our guests, volunteers, competitors, performers, clans, sponsors, and community are safe and healthy so they can enjoy ‘Scotland without the Airfare’ for years to come.
“As such we have made the very difficult decision to cancel our 2020 festival.”
The Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games, started by Alex Robertson in 1946, annually welcomes thousands of visitors to “participate in the promotion, presentation, and preservation of Scottish culture through good-natured competition and heritage education,” officials say.
“Although this was a tremendously difficult decision to make, the festival is grateful to its volunteers, community partners, patrons, and supporters and thanks everyone for their support and understanding.”
Refunds will be issued for all tickets purchased for this year. Questions can be directed to info@fergusscottishfestival.com.
The 2021 festival and 75th anniversary is set for Aug. 13 to 15. More information is available on the festival website.
Plenty of Pipes – The Massed Bands event featured more than a dozen pipe bands taking to the field at the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games on Aug. 10, 2019.
Photo by Patrick Raftis
