Sponsors, volunteers honoured at Kincardine Scottish Festival appreciation night

Sponsors and volunteers with the Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games, were honoured at an appreciation evening, held Thursday, June 15, in the Scougall Gallery at the Kincardine Arts Centre.

Chairman Tony Doherty welcomed everyone and thanked the executive and event manager Linda Johnson for their hard work and dedication toward the 18th annual festival, slated for July 7-9 in Victoria Park, Kincardine.

"Without our sponsors and volunteers, we would not be able to put on such a great event," he said. "And this year is a big one, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Canada and Bruce County."

Doherty said the entertainment line-up is amazing this year, with Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy headlining Friday night, and The Trews Saturday night. Also featured throughout the weekend, are Bessie and the Zinc Buckets, Albannach, The Thogs, The Mudmen; and new this year, the Screaming Orphans, an all-sister band of Donegal, Ireland; and Taxi Chain, a saxophone and bagpipe band of Toronto.

"We have a good mixture of music," said Doherty, "with something for everyone."

Sunday afternoon, which has always been focused on the family, has been re-named the "Richard Yun Family Day," with an afternoon of music and entertainment in Victoria Park. Yun, former site director, died in March.

The heavy events, sponsored by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) will again be held in Robinson Park, said Doherty, but the bus route has been changed and buses will not be stopping to drop off people at that site.

New site director Gavin Newsham said the buses will be picking up people at various locations, including hotel parking lots, and taking them to and from Victoria Park.

He said there are more clans attending this year's festival, and the Highland dance stage will be moved further back from the bar area, compared to last year.

Working with Johnson this year, is student Jake Bolton of Port Elgin.

For more information about the festival, and to purchase tickets, visit the website at: www.kincardinescottishfestival.ca/