MacMaster, Leahy and family open Kincardine Scottish Festival with a bang

Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy and their family brought their high-energy, quality fiddle music to the stage to open the 18th annual Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games, Friday night in Victoria Park, Kincardine.

While the enthusiastic and skilled MacMaster and Leahy were brilliant to watch, together with their immensely-talented children, they brought the crowd to its feet at the end of the show in a rousing and well-deserved standing ovation.

The festival opened with a series of entertainment, including local acts, The Thogs and The Pleats, as well as Taxi Chain of Toronto and The Screaming Orphans of Ireland.



Taxi Chain performs at the Kincardine Scottish Festival, Friday night



The Screaming Orphans perform at the Kincardine Scottish Festival, Friday night

MC Andy McBride conducted the opening ceremonies, featuring festival president Tony Doherty who thanked the executive and about 400 volunteers for helping put on this event.

Event manager Linda Johnson then introduced the executive and thanked them for ensuring the sun was shining Friday night.

Huron-Bruce MPP Ben Lobb congratulated the organizers on another great festival, noting that the park is one of the most beautiful venues anywhere for the event.

"Over the past five to six years, the federal government has put $60,000 to $70,000 into the festival," he said. "That has helped bring some great talent to the stage here. Thanks to the sponsors, the executive and the volunteers for all your hard work. And to all of you who have come to spend money in Kincardine and Bruce County - have a great weekend!"

Kincardine mayor Anne Eadie welcomed everyone and said Kincardine is proud of its Scottish roots.

"When you land in Kincardine, something magical happens," she said. "Everyone can be Scottish, just like that (snapping her fingers), for a day, a month or all summer.

"To our visitors, we welcome you to stroll through downtown Kincardine and check out our unique shops. Travel down Harbour Street to our spectacular beachfront, and see the lighthouse, the boardwalk and the pavilion. Our trail system is another hidden gem. Enjoy the town while you are here, and even venture out to the rest of the Municipality of Kincardine."

Mike Rencheck, president and chief executive officer of Bruce Power, and the festival's Grand Marshall of the Clan Parade, looked out into the audience and said, "Isn't this fun? Here I am, with a name like Rencheck, and I'm going to feel Scottish all weekend long. It's a great honour and privilege to be your Grand Marshall. Have a great weekend."

Bill Murdoch, former Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP, and the festival's Grand Chieftain, said he has strong Scottish roots, hailing from East Upper Bognor, near Walter's Falls. "It's an honour to be the Grand Chieftain of the festival. I'm proudly wearing the Ontario tartan and welcome you all to be members of this great clan, even if you're from Toronto."

MacMaster and Leahy then burst on stage, thrilling the audience with their spirited, fiery music and amazing talent.

Grinning, MacMaster told the crowd that it was getting the "live experience," because Leahy broke a string on his fiddle and just grabbed one of the children's. Then he realized that the fingering would not work because it was so much smaller than his fiddle. "So, he'll not do that again," she said, with a laugh.

Their children Mary Frances, Michael, Julia, Clare, and Alec also performed on the fiddle, and then the older four did some step-dancing and singing. The youngest child, Sadie, 3, has yet to perform.



Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy perform at the Kincardine Scottish Festival, Friday night

The festival continues Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday features the solo piping and drumming competition, the highland dancing competition, heavy events contest at Robinson Park (on Russell Street, east of Victoria Park), and the pipe band competition, as well as the Clan Parade at 11 a.m.,  food vendors, regalia, clan tents, and lots of music.

The Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band Saturday night parade runs at 8 p.m., followed by the headline act, "The Trews," along with Albannach, The Screaming Orphans, Bessie and the Zinc Buckets and The Mudmen.

Sunday, is Richard Yun Family Day, with Institute of Scottish Culture displays and demonstrations, Clydesdale horses, highland cattle, piping and drumming, children's activities, and the Celtic Music in the Park, featuring the Kincardine Fiddle Orchestra, The Thogs, The Pleats, Taxi Chain, Albannach, The Screaming Orphans, Bessie and the Zinc Buckets, and The Mudmen.