Thousands gather in Kincardine for 10th annual Scottish Festival
By Liz Dadson

Heritage

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You didn't have to be Scottish to enjoy the music and dancing in Kincardine on the weekend - but it sure helped.
Despite the cool weather, thousands made their way to this Lake Huron municipality for the 10th annual Kincardine Scottish Festival, complete with competitions for pipers, drummers, highland dancers, pipe bands, and the heavy events.

Regalia and food vendors lined the edge of Victoria Park, while the park was filled with competitors in highland dance, as well as the many pipe bands. The beer garden was a popular spot to enjoy a glass of Steelback Light, specially made for the festival by the local brewery, as well as Steelback's Lager and Red Maple.

The ceilidh Friday night featured the Air Command Pipes and Drums, Madison Violet, Searson, The Glengarry Bhoys, Calithream Celtic Fusion and The Thogs.
The Kincardine Fire Department served up pancakes and sausage Saturday morning, and later, along Queen Street, the Parade of the Clans featured five pipe bands: Lucknow, Teeswater, Kincardine Scottish, Robert Whittle Memorial, and the Air Command Pipes and Drums; the heavy events athletes, and many proud visiting clans.

Meanwhile, in the field behind St. Anthony's School, a large crowd enjoyed the heavy events, including caber toss, hammer throw, weight over bar, stone throw and sheaf toss, in four different categories.

The children's events at that location were also a hit, featuring Thomas the Tank Engine play area, face-painting, caber toss, games, prizes and Kobbler Jay the Eccentric Juggler of Niagara Falls.

Saturday night saw the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band's regular parade along Queen Street, followed by an evening of Celtic music at Victoria Park.

The festival closed Sunday with the Kirkin' o' the Tartan at Knox Presbyterian Church, and Celtic music in the park at Victoria Park in the afternoon.

 Kincardine firefighter Mike Drake cooks pancakes for the breakfast Saturday morning

 Festival sound-man Ivan Smith wears independence Day shorts under his Kilt

Eccentric juggler Jay Henderson (R), gets some help from Matthew Nickel of Kincardine in completing a knife-juggling act

 Kobbler Jay of Niagara Falls juggles knives while balancing from a precarious position

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Margaret Durning of Brantford holds up one of the Tartan Teddies, sporting the MacLean Tartan

Lynda Janzen of Kincardine holds up her book, "The Jewel of Scotland," which has been reprinted; to purchase a copy, contact her at 519-395-3916 or lyndajanzen496@msn.com

Ron McKay (L) and Joanne Fry serve Steelback Lite to the patrons at the beer gardens

Daphne Williams (L) and Wendy Derbyshire sell tickets at the beer gardens; they have volunteering at the festival for seven years and 10 years, respectively

Marian Smith (L), Meta Postuma and Elizabeth Wolff serve tea at the Kincardine United Church tea room Saturday

Rebecca Dadson (L) paints a rainbow on the cheek of Rowan Greig, 9, of Fergus, at the children's activities

Bob Griffiths (L) and Sam Finnie of the Kincardine Knights of Columbus serve sausage and hot dogs to the crowd at the heavy events competition

Roger Kennedy (L) of Hanover and Jacob O'Hagan-Hicks, 7, of Dunnville pose in their stylish Scottish outfits

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