After a long two summers of pandemic restrictions, the Kincardine Scottish Festival returns with an event-filled long weekend July 1st-3rd for their 22nd Highland Games.
“It’s a full weekend of entertainment for the whole family! We have a world class pipe band competition with 21 bands signed up, highland dancers coming for a highland dance competition, and last but not least our heavy events down at Robinson Park will be taking place," says festival president Tony Doherty.
He adds they’ve been working closely with the BIA, as the festival always gives local businesses a great economic boost.
“We’re very much in sync, we’re all working together. We can’t wait to get back out into our community and help our businesses because [the pandemic] has been bad for them, it’s been bad for everybody.”
Doherty notes even Bruce Power’s previous President and CEO, Duncan Hawthorn, will be returning from the United Kingdom to Kincardine to participate.
Doherty says with rising costs being seen across almost every industry, it was important to them to not increase ticket prices, to allow for as many people to participate in the festival as possible.
“We have not put our prices up in two years, so you’re getting a very competitive rate. If you look at other festivals around southwestern Ontario, we are the cheapest by far. We’re looking forward to having everybody here.”
Doherty says organizers are happy to share the weekend with Canada Day festivities, and will be pausing their entertainment Friday night during the fireworks show that will be held at Station Beach.
Headlining the event is Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter David Wilcox, with The Mudmen, Madison Violet, Shane Cook, and even more performances scheduled.
He says new this year is a dance on Friday night, hosted by DJ Joseph J from Port Elgin. Also, they will be serving all drinks in recyclable cans in an effort to be as environmentally friendly as possible, and will be donating the funds earned from returning beer cans to a local charity.
Doherty adds this event could not be possible without the help of their volunteers.
For more information, to purchase tickets, or to learn how to volunteer, visit the Kincardine Scottish Festival's website.