Pictou County prepares to celebrate Scottish heritage
Pictou County will celebrate its Scottish heritage next week with the sounds of pipes and drums, dancing and feats of strength.
The annual Festival of the Tartans will get underway on July 12 and continue through July 15.
Ken Langille, who is president of the festival, said it’s a great time to celebrate the county’s heritage and keep the Celtic culture alive.
Organizers have been busy wrapping up the details this week for the festival, but he said it’s shaping up to be a great year. They’ve already had a significant increase in the number of golf teams taking part in their Festival of the Tartans golf tournament.
They’ve also taken steps to make sure there’s something the whole family can enjoy. In addition to the Highland heavy weight games, highland dancing and a newly added piping competition, they’ve also included some activities young children would enjoy such as bouncy tents and face painting.
“We hope to attract a lot of young people,” he said.
Here’s a look at the events planned
Official Launch at Glasgow Square gazebo — Wednesday July 11, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Kilted Golf Tournament at Glen Lovat Golf Course — Thursday July 12, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Open Car Show on Provost Street — Thursday July 12, 5-8 p.m.
Kinsmen Chicken BBQ on Terrace Street — Friday July 13, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. $12 gets you a great chicken meal with all the fixings smoked over a huge outdoor barbecue, with all funds going directly to the Kinsmen minor baseball program. Make sure to buy your tickets in advance as this event often sells out
Glen Haven Manor Garden Party — Friday July 13, 2-4 p.m. Seniors are invited to enjoy a cup of tea and snack with pipers, Highland dancers and musical entertainment.
Rotary Fiddle Concert at Rotary Park — Friday July 13, 6:30-8 p.m.
Highland Dancing Competitions at Tartan Field — Saturday July 14, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Atlantic Canada Open Quartet Championship (Bagpipe competition) — Saturday July 14, 10-11:30 a.m. — Listen to bagpipers from around the region compete at the first ever Atlantic Canada Open Quartet Championships at this year’s Festival of the Tartans. This new event will see bagpipe quartets competing for a $1,000 prize. Pipers of all ages and abilities are welcome to enter.
March of the Pipes (New Glasgow Square to Tartan Field) — Saturday July 14, 12:15- 1 p.m. Official Opening at Tartan Field: Heavy Games, Pipes and Dancing — Saturday July 14, 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Mass Pipes and Drums — Saturday July 14, 4- 5 p.m. — All the pipers join together at the end of the day for a Mass Pipes and Drums display.
Kirkin o’ th’ Tartan / Official Closing — Sunday July 15, 10-11 a.m. — Held at the Loch Broom Historic Log Church,1576 Loch Broom Loop, Pictou, the Kirkin O’ the Tartan is a ceremony celebrated on special occasions during a church service. At this unique and traditional church service, you are welcome to bring along your tartans for blessing. All welcome, and the wearing of tartan is encouraged.