After a one-year hiatus, the Kingsville Highland Games will return this summer, with Saturday, June 27 set as the event date.
For the first time, the cabers and haggis will be tossed on the grounds of Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens, the new home of the Kingsville Highland Games.
Event emcee Jim Crichton was on hand to officially launch this year’s promotional campaign at Colasanti’s on Wednesday, February 25.
He was joined at the podium by Kingsville Mayor Dennis Rogers and Highland Games Marketing Director David Bellamy, who went through the list of events set for this June.
“This is a great economic driver for our community,” said Mayor Rogers. “People from all over the world are coming to our neck of the woods to compete. It’s going to be great for our community and the games themselves.
Crichton talked about the move to Colasanti’s familiar surroundings, and the space provided on their grounds, alongside such welcoming facilities.
“I think we’ve found our home,” he said. “We encourage everyone to dust off your tartan and ensure your kilt is in working order,” he said.
Bellamy stated that all of the favourite events are back once again, which will include piping and drumming, highland dancing, sheep shearing and herding, vendors, as well as the always popular heavy events.
“We are incredibly proud to bring this cultural landmark back,” says Doug Plumb, Chair of the Kingsville Highland Games. “This is more than a competition; it’s a gathering of our Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent communities to ensure these vibrant traditions thrive for generations to come.”
Tickets are on sale now, and up until March 31 they are $15 for adult tickets. Starting April 1, ticket prices go to $20 each. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Visit kings villehighlandgames.ca to get your tickets and view the schedule.
Kingsville Highland Games Heavy Events coordinator Celine Freeman-Gibb poses with a pitchfork and a burlap sack (sheaf) to be used in the event called Sheaf Toss. The sheaf is thrown over a horizontal bar, often reaching heights of 30 feet or more.
