Black-powder rifle demonstrations will be featured for the first time at this month’s Highland Games in Red Deer — along with dancing, drumming, piping, athletic and sheep dog events.
You don’t have to be of Scottish heritage to enjoy the day-long celebration on Saturday, June 26, at Westerner Park, said Bill Christie, chair of the Red Deer Highland Games Association.
“Last year we had a busload of tourists from China who showed up. . . . It’s for anyone who likes song and dance and wants to learn a wee bit about another culture.” He expects 3,000 to 4,000 people to attend from all over Alberta.
The 63rd annual Red Deer Highland Games start early — some of the dance, piping, and drumming events begin at 8 a.m. and go either all morning or all day long.
An afternoon competition for pipe bands will be held, as well as “heavy” athletic matches — such as caber, hammer and sheave tosses, and pulling the stone (like shot-put). Christie predicted the competition will be stiff as one of this year’s participants is the winner of the Master’s Games in Scotland.
MacPherson’s Pub will open at 11 a.m. and feature a shortbread bake-off as well as a lineup of entertainers who will sing, dance and play all afternoon.
At 11:30 a.m., an official opening ceremony will begin, featuring some local MLAs and Red Deer Mayor Morris Flewwelling, who will be declared honourary chieftain of the day.
Pipe bands will later parade by him as they play Highland Laddie and perform a salute at 4:30 p.m.
For the second year running, a tug o’ war event will start at noon. There’s a $50 entry fee per team and the winner gets to keep half the money in the pot, plus the cup, said Christie. “There were only three teams last year, but we’re hoping to have more this year.”
As well as the sheep dog and fencing demos, three clan information tents will be set up, and black powder rifles will be fired off, said Christie, who sees the whole day as “a chance to promote our culture and keep our culture alive.”
Admission is $7 ($5 for children/students/seniors) Kids five and under can enter for free.
The party-minded can pay an additional $15 to attend an evening highland gathering, or Ceilidh, in the Agricentre. Children are welcome and the popular local band St. James’ Gate will perform.
lmichelin@www.reddeeradvocate.com