Pipes, plaid, pageantry parade set to Rock historic downtown area
The historic downtown area here will come alive Aug. 11 to kick off the 66th annual Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games.
A parade from Victoria Park to the Fergus Legion, featuring members of the Toronto Rock lacrosse club, including Fergus native Kasey Beirnes.
The team recently captured the National Lacrosse League championship.
“We are pleased and privileged that the Toronto Rock will be our special guests in this celebratory parade in Fergus,” said festival president Warren Trask. “Lacrosse is as deeply entrenched in the history and culture of our community as our Scottish Games. We are honoured to host and present these national champions as part of our event for the community of Fergus.”
The Toronto Rock will be featured on site all weekend, offering promotion opportunities and the chance to greet to many players. Personal greetings can be enjoyed by all following the parade at the Fergus Legion, where many Wellington County players will be on hand to sign autographs for kids.
In the past, the festival has brought thousands of visitors to the community in celebration of all things Scottish. Festival organizers, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion-Branch 275, brought back the community parade last year.
With the tremendous support of local community service clubs, a volunteer parade committee and the Township of Centre Wellington, the parade is ready to march again.
This year, added attention has been taken to double the number of musical bands, including pipes, brass, and marching bands, along with contemporary styles.
The festival welcomes everyone to join the fun. Antique cars, sport clubs, Cubs and Scouts, Brownies and Guides, dancing groups, livestock, floats - all are encouraged to join the celebration.
For more information or to register for the parade go to www.fergusscottishfestival.com. The parade will line up at Albert Street and St. David Street South at 6:30pm. Beginning at 7:30pm the parade will head north on St. David Street to St. Andrew Street West, ending on Blair Street at the Fergus Legion.
