When you drive into Maxville this week, there are lots of signs that the Games are here. Banners span the road at both ends of the village welcoming everyone to one of the biggest events in Eastern Ontario. On the Games site, the huge tents are up, the grass is a plush green carpet, flags are flying and a crew of busy volunteers is putting the finishing touches to make the fairgrounds sparkle.
One of the highlights of this year’s Games events will be the Salute to the 150th Anniversary of the RCMP with lots of opportunities to get up close to the force that wears the famous red serge. Another for many will be cheering on Maxville’s own John Wensink as he officially opens the Games at noon hour on Saturday.
Starting Wednesday, August 3, the crowds begin to arrive as the RVs fill the camping area. On Thursday, scores of concessions will be setting up to be ready bright and early Friday morning. Thursday night will see over two hundred Scots splendid in their formal kilts and skirts gather in the Metcalfe Centre for the sold-out Tartan Ball.
Friday at the Games starts early at 8 am with a full day of competitions and events. Heavy event athletes take to the infield with the Amateurs at 8:15 am, the Professional Women at 10 am, and the Masters at 1 pm. These events are favourites with a large audience as world and Canadian record holders strive to do their best. Highland dancing competitions take place in the Arena also starting Friday morning with Primary, Beginner, Novice and Intermediate events followed by Restricted and Premier National competitions. For piping fans, the amateur grades 1 to 5 solo piping and drumming competitions (except bass & tenor) take place on the grounds and the Piobaireachd Society Gold Medal (Canada) contests are held in downtown Maxville at the Anglican and Presbyterian churches.
In the afternoon, it’s a hard choice between the Scottish Fiddle Youth Concert in the Arena Hall and the terrific lineup of local celtic entertainment in the Metcalfe Centre. Both venues attract large crowds and showcase some of the finest musicians in Glengarry.
When it’s time to stop for a meal, there won’t be a lack of vendors ringing the infield that offer foods of all kinds from traditional Scottish fare to barbeque to chicken swarma and poutine. If it’s shopping that’s on the agenda, pretty much anything that’s Scottish can be found at the many merchants sprinkled around the grounds.
Between the afternoon events and the Friday night Tattoo, the entertainment continues with the traditional tug of war at 5:30 pm between teams from North Glengarry and South Glengarry. To add to the fun, these two teams are being challenged by the Glengarry Outhouses team and from past years’ experience, the winner will be hard to predict.
Saturday is a big day with the North American Pipe Band Competition™ and the professional piping and drumming competitions, the men’s professional Heavy Events and a full day of Scottish Fiddle. In Highland dancing, champion dancers compete in the prestigious Glengarry Highland Games Open Championship. Again this year, the John Angus Carther Trophy will be awarded on Saturday to the S.D.& G. dancer with the highest combined points.
Added to these traditional Games events, there’s the Kilt Run where kilts are mandatory for competitors and the Whisky Tasting that instructs on how to nose and taste six whiskies from traditional Scottish regions. On the infield, the Highland Regiment Tug of War takes place with six regiments challenging for the Cup. Teams include SDG Highlanders, Cameron Highlanders, Toronto Scottish, Argyll and Sutherland from Hamilton, Essex and Kent Scottish from Windsor and the Lorne Scots from Peel, Dufferin and Halton. Rugby finals in the Nate MacRae Memorial Tournament will take place on the infield at 2pm. The box seven tournament starts out with five mens’ teams from Cornwall, Montreal and Ottawa and four women’s teams from Cornwall and Brockville. The preliminary events start Saturday morning behind the Clan Buildings.
The Games are also a great opportunity to learn about the history of the Scots in Glengarry, in Canada and abroad, at the Clan Buildings just north of the Arena. More than 35 clan societies and heritage organizations will be ready to share their history and knowledge. Don’t forget to catch the Clan Parade with its impressive display of tartan, kilts, banners, and flags at 12:00 PM on Saturday just before the Official Ceremonies. All are welcome to join the gathered clans and take part in the Clan Parade by presenting themselves to the Clan Buildings at 11:30 AM. To see which groups will be present and learn more about the workshops and entertainment at the Clan Buildings, check out the Games website under Events/Clans.
For the young folk, there’s lots to do at the Games from the junior heavyweights and the track and field on Saturday to the fun-filled Wee Bairns area that offers games, a petting zoo and face painting both days and a magician on Saturday.
There are lots of ways to stay connected with the Games if you can’t attend. CTV2’s Rosey Edeh from their Morning Live show will be taping segments on Thursday to air on Friday. CFRA’s Kristy Cameron will be hosting her show live on Friday afternoon. Stop by and say Hi to Kristy by the entrance to the Metcalfe Centre. Corus Cornwall’s Community Cruiser will be broadcasting at the Games both days and giving prizes to fans that drop by their site. Throughout the Games, our social media will be posting on Instagram and Facebook about some of the highlights of each day.
Maxville Manor will be holding a 50/50 raffle on site and the draw will be made at 5pm on Saturday at the Games. Buy a ticket and support a great community treasure. There will also be a group of people at the Games this year who will be asking visitors to answer a few questions about their Games experience. Enigma Research from Toronto is conducting an Economic Impact study for the Games so please take the time to give them your feedback. There’s also a chance to win two Patron’s passes to the 2024 Games if you take the survey.
The grounds are fully accessible. There are air-conditioned indoor spaces as well as many shady sites around the grounds for viewing and relaxing. In order to make your experience at the Games stress free, many of your purchases can be cashless. All major debit and credit cards will be accepted at our entrance gates, souvenir booth, camping and hospitality venues.
As we get more and more used to severe weather warnings, we want to assure visitors that the Games has an Emergency Weather Plan in place. Any dangerous weather warnings will be broadcast on our Games PA system with instructions on how to keep safe. Remember in extreme weather a tent, RV and/or car are not good choices.
Everyone knows that all roads lead to Maxville during the Games. Just a note that the 417 between Hwy 138 and the Dunvegan Road will be down to single lanes in both directions. It might be a good idea to schedule a little bit of extra time if you use that route or perhaps find an alternate route to Maxville. Remember if you drive to the Games to enjoy yourself responsibly so everyone can get home safely. The OPP will as usual be out in full force on the highways and byways during the Games.
The Games welcome you to our 74th edition where all things are Scottish for two days and memories are made.
See you at the Games on August 4 and 5. Ceud Mìle Fàilte! A hundred thousand welcomes!
