ABBAMANIA drew a huge crowd and thunderous applause as it erupted on the main stage at the Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games, Friday night.
The ABBA tribute band was magnificent, singing song after song without a break, as the audience whooped and hollered and sang along to the familiar tunes.
The two-woman, two-man team, playing the stars of the Swedish supergroup from the 1970s and ‘80s, was backed up by six musicians, and had a commanding stage presence.
As the band finished its one-and-a-half-hour show, the crowd went wild for its signature song, “Dancing Queen.”
ABBAMANIA performs at the Kincardine Scottish Festival, Friday night
ABBAMANIA was one of six bands that performed at the opening night of the festival which ran from Friday through Sunday at Victoria Park, Kincardine.
Festival president Tony Doherty welcomed everyone to the 24th year of the event; this is only the second year since the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled the festival for two years – 2020 and 2021. Doherty also gave the land acknowledgement.
Jingle Dancer Jaylynn Wolfe, 15, of Point Clark, performed for the crowd.
Jingle Dancer Jaylynn Wolfe performs at the Kincardine Scottish Festival
Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb then thanked the organizers and volunteers for putting on such a great festival. He also commended Bruce Power which has been a major sponsor since day one.
“Thanks for your support of this event,” he said. “And to the volunteer board of directors, thank you. You are the ones who work the whole year long so we can enjoy this three-day festival.”
Kincardine mayor Kenneth Craig brought greetings on behalf of the municipality. “Welcome to Kincardine; we’re glad to have you here. And we thank the Scottish for bringing us such mind-boggling sports as curling and golf!”
The Screaming Orphans sang the national anthems of Scotland, the United States and Canada.
Honourary MC James Scongack of Bruce Power said the company is proud to support this community and this festival. He thanked the nearly 250 volunteers, the organizers and those in attendance for supporting this event.
Grand chieftain Duncan Hawthorne, former president and chief executive officer of Bruce Power, said he and his wife, Lesley, are pleased to be in Kincardine and at the Scottish Festival, supporting their home.
“We love everything about Kincardine,” he said. “It’s an important part of who we are.”
He said this year’s festival doesn’t have a lot of the usual activities, such as the pipe band competition and the Clan Parade, but it demonstrates Scottish resilience to persevere and put on the show anyway.
“I know the event is different this year,” he said, “but you all care about the festival and that’s why you’re here. I proudly declare this Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games officially open.”
The Screaming Orphans perform at the Kincardine Scottish Festival
The evening began with The Screaming Orphans of County Donegal, Ireland, who energized the crowd with their lively show. They said that only two of the sisters are allowed to talk; if all four of them talked, they’d never get any music played.
They were followed by ABBAMANIA and then Kincardine band Boiler Beach.
The festival continued through Saturday and Sunday. Stay tuned for more coverage in the Kincardine Record.
The Teeswater Highlanders Pipe Band performs at the Kincardine Scottish Festival
July 9, 2023
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