Free activities offered to mark the 25th anniversary of the Kincardine Scottish Festival

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It’s 25 years since the Kincardine Scottish Festival was born and this year’s event could attract a record crowd to the annual celebration.

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“It’s our 25th anniversary this year, so in honor of that, we’re opening the doors for free on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for all events that take place during the day,” Kristine said McMahon, general manager of the Kincardine Scottish Festival, in a telephone interview on May 28. Daytime events include the bagpipe competition and children’s activities, as well as access to vendors, food trucks and Clan Avenue. “This is our way of giving back to the city this year.”

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From July 5-7, the festival will once again take place at Victoria Park with the intense athletics competition taking place at nearby Robinson Park. The big highlight of this year’s event is the return of the parade.

“We weren’t able to do it last year because of the road work, and before that there was COVID, so we’re really excited about the parade coming back and we’re hoping it will really open everything up on Saturday “,” McMahon said.

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Another big draw is the musical performances, which are a mixed lineup of new and returning artists, including Trans-Canada Highwaymen, a supergroup consisting of Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies, Chris Murphy of Sloan, Moe Berg of The Pursuit of Happiness and Craig. Northern Chances. Additionally, Ontario-based Celtic rock band Mudmen is set to return to the festival stage this year.

“We’re hoping they’ll draw some really good crowds,” McMahon said, noting the tribute band’s popular performances at the festival.

“Abbamania was really big last year. Last year we had it on Friday, so this year we brought it to Saturday,” she said. “We have Practically Hip with all our Canadian favorites from The Tragically Hip. We have U2 Desire Tribute Band. The Glengarry Buoys, this is about their 10th appearance at the festival in the last 25 years, so it’s really great to see them again. Sunday is going to be really great. We have the British Legends. They basically dress up and look exactly like David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart and Freddie Mercury and they play all their songs, so it’s going to be really fun, I think. Especially on Family Day.

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The opening ceremonies will take place on Friday July 5. Doors open at 6 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m.

As part of the evening’s ceremonies, the Highland Creek Pipe Band will perform with Major Glenn Healy, former Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender and Stanley Cup winner.

The bagpipe competition takes place after the Saturday parade.

“This year, after the pipe competition, we’re going to let the pipers do what they want. They like to play their music well after the competitions are over, like a bagpipe jam session if you want to call it that, so what we did was we actually moved our groups so they didn’t start until a little later in the day. , so this gives them a chance to really enjoy the space and allow the ambient music to resonate throughout the park. It’s a bit unique this year.

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Also new this year, participants can watch the intense track and field competitions at Robinson Park from the main venue.

“We’re going to put a big screen in Victoria Park to showcase what’s happening at Robinson Park to try and make it more accessible to everyone,” she said. Transportation between the two parks is also available for those who prefer to watch in person without making the trek on foot.

McMahon said the specific clans included in this year’s Clan Avenue are expected to be announced in the coming days, along with participating vendors who will offer a variety of Scottish products and food options.

“We’ll have a good variety of food and other kinds of really interesting Scottish trinkets,” she said.

Sunday is filled with family-oriented activities.

“We’re going to have a bouncy castle and we’re bringing back our knights from last year,” McMahon said. “We’re really trying to make family day stronger for everyone.”

This year again, transport is being provided to and from the festival at different locations in the town. A bus route map will be posted on the festival website.

Tickets are on sale now, including day and weekend passes. Admission for children aged 12 and under is free all three days. For more information about the festival, visit kincardinescottishfestival.ca/.

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