EVENT PROFILE – Kingsville’s Highland Games
After a 30 year plus hiatus, the Highland Games will once again grace the north shores of Lake Erie in a celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture.
On Saturday, June 22, 2019 Lakeside Park (315 Queen Street) will provide a stunning backdrop for bagpipes, caber tossers and highland dancers. The last time the Games took place in Kingsville was 1987, attracting over 6,000 visitors.
The Kingsville Highland Games offers residents and visitors alike an opportunity to celebrate Celtic and Scottish traditions.
“The Town of Kingsville continues to support and seek opportunities to enhance community events and initiatives that promote social cohesion, community pride, and increase awareness of local traditions and talents,” states Maggie Durocher, Manager of Parks and Recreation Programs and Special Events.
The day includes an exciting array of food, vendors, music, demonstrations and competitions, including a Highland Dance competition, Sheep Herding demonstrations, a Scottish Athletic Heavy Event competition, and even a Mayor’s Haggis Hurl.
“All of our Essex County Mayors are invited to participate in this cultural delicacy,” encourages Mayor Nelson Santos. “It will take great strategy and a true mayoral touch to succeed at this incredible hurling of the haggis.”There will also be a charitable kilt run and entertainment, featuring The Mudmen, Canada’s Celtic rock warriors.
The Town of Kingsville has been successful in their bid for financial assistance through the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund, a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, administered by the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund Corporation. This money will assist in marketing the “Highland Games” to an expanded market.
“There’s been great enthusiasm and support from the community for the return of the ‘Highland Games,’ and we’re certainly looking forward to seeing a little piece of Kingsville’s history return to Lakeside Park,” comments Mayor Santos. “The committee and staff are working hard to keep the tradition and spirit of the games in the forefront, and it’s shaping up to be a fun, family outing that everyone will enjoy.”
Tickets are $20 with those aged 12 and under free to attend. The full schedule of events is on the Town’s website.