This year marks the transition of the Cobourg Highland Games to it’s new home at the Port Hope Agricultural Park.
Since 1963, the festival and games had been hosted in Cobourg, however, for a number of reasons, this year the organizers have made the tough decision to move to a facility that offers more room and free parking – parking being something that was always a bone of contention for both participants and spectators as the fees would often exceed the cost of admission.
This year will also be a bit different due to what society president George Cackette refers to as cut backs in military budgets which have negatively affected military pipe bands so there will be no tattoo. That said, the festival and games are positioned to be the biggest organizers have put on, with a record number of 18 clans in attendance, 28 pipe bands, 200 highland dancers and over 250 individual competitors.
Cackette tells us what attendees can expect.
The two-day event will also feature Ceildhs each evening beginning at 6 pm featuring the return of last year’s popular headliners “Bang on the Ear” supported by the Cobourg Legion Pipes & Drums, Scottish County Dancers and “Madman’s Window”.
Cackette tells us what he thinks are the biggest changes with the new location.
Another new addition this year is a dedicated “Wee Highlander” area for children aged 12 and under where they can take classes in
sword fighting, caber tossing and highland dancing. There will also be a bouncy castle, face painting, airbrush tattoos and more to keep kids busy – and admission is free.
According to Cackette, this year promises to be bigger than ever before.
The fun begins this Friday, June 14 with the “Heavies” competing in the Stones of Strength and the first of two Ceilidhs – both begin at 6 pm at the Port Hope Agricultural Park at 62 McCaul Street in Port Hope.
For a complete schedule and additional information, visit: Northumberland Scottish Festival and Highland Games (northumberlandhighlandgames.ca).
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
