FERGUS – The Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland games take place August 8th-10th, but if you’re looking for a brief history and all things Scottish festival early, you can head to the Wellington County Museum and Archives.
Featuring a classic highland dance outfit, tartan and a timeline of significant events, a festival display, according to festival Executive Director Elizabeth Bender, is an immersive one. She says this collaboration is a long-time coming.
Festival President Matthew Bennett-Monty also tells The Grand at 101 the museum held an event featuring honorary guests like past presidents and heard stories from decades of the festival’s history.
Bennett-Monty says when it comes to the event itself, watching it grow has been a sight to behold and a sign of strength in the community.
Bender says the four pillars of the day; heavy events, highland dance, pipes and drums and lastly clans and heritage, each have a special competition or display planned to showcase this year.
The fun doesn’t stop there, though, says Bender, who explained Saturday night’s concert lineup this year features Albanach, the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, and the group she dubbed “the boy band who turned the world tartan,” The Bay City Rollers.
Bennett-Monty says demand for the festival has grown exponentially over the years.
Could it continue to evolve? Bender certainly isn’t ruling it out.
Both Bennett-Monty and Bender were sure to mention the cultural significance of this event in Fergus, citing a “rich” Scottish heritage. Tickets can be found online at fergusscottishfestival.com.
