​Plenty of great music, activities set for Kincardine Scottish Festival, July 5-7

The Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games celebrates its 25th anniversary at this year’s event, slated to run July 5-7 at Victoria Park and Robinson Park in Kincardine.

The festival begins Friday night, July 5, at 7 p.m., with the opening ceremonies at Victoria Park, giving thanks to the First Nations, with support from the Highland Creek Band and pipe major (former NHL’er) Glenn Healy.

The evening concert includes The Practically Hip, U2 Desire Tribute Band, and the Glengarry Bhoys, ending with a video dance party with Joseph J.

Saturday, July 6, features the Highland Games at Robinson Park, just east of Victoria Park, on Russell Street. The park opens at 10 a.m., with the games beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The Massed Pipe Band Parade leaves the Kincardine Legion at 11 a.m., marching through downtown Kincardine to Victoria Park. There is also a Drifters Classic Car Show downtown.

At Noon, there will be a Highland Dance Performance on the main stage in Victoria Park.

The main attraction of the day, the Pipe Band Competition, runs from Noon to 4 p.m., in Victoria Park.

The gates to Victoria Park open at 10:30 a.m., and to celebrate 25 years of the festival, all activities are FREE until 4 p.m.

The evening concert begins at 7 p.m., with the Glengarry Bhoys, followed by ABBAMANIA, the Trans-Canada Highwaymen, and The Mudmen.

The festival wraps up Sunday, July 7, with gates to Victoria Park opening at 11 a.m. The closing ceremonies begin at Noon, followed by a music concert featuring Weekend Never Ends, the Glengarry Bhoys, The British Legends, and The Mudmen.

There is also a Kirkin’ of the Tartan service at Knox Presbyterian Church, Kincardine, Sunday, from 10:30-11:30 a.m.

For more information, visit www.kincardinescottishfestival.ca/schedule.

Festival tickets can be purchased at the Welcome Centre in the Kincardine Arts Centre, at 707 Queen Street, Kincardine via cash or credit. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Or purchase tickets on-line at: www.ticketscene.ca/series/1225/.