Written By Olena Riznyk
AILSA CRAIG – Three years after Ailsa Craig returned to its Scottish roots with a new Highland Games and Scottish Festival, the event continues to grow.
Athletes, musicians, Scottish clans, vendors and visitors gathered at the Ailsa Craig Community Centre on July 25 for a full day of traditional games and family activities.
The morning began with a community breakfast and an opening ceremony featuring the Royal Scots Light Company. Throughout the day, spectators gathered around the competition field to watch the caber toss, hammer throw, stone throw and tug of war. The program also included pipe bands, Highland dancers, clan displays, nearly 20 vendors and a children’s activity area.
For organizing committee chair John Mombourquette, one of the most important parts of the festival is making sure everyone feels welcome. “We come out of a community event, and we don’t want to lose that flavour,” he said. “That’s why we’re by donation. Everybody can come, and if you can contribute, great.”
Ailsa Craig was founded by Scottish settlers and named after the island off the coast of Scotland, which is known for the granite used to make curling stones.
The Highland Games began after the village celebrated its 150th anniversary, when organizers decided to create an event that reflected Ailsa Craig’s Scottish heritage. “Ailsa Craig has a Scottish historical background,” Mombourquette said. “The village was founded by Scots, and we wanted to go back to our Scottish heritage.”
Organizers have continued to build on the event each year. This year, the committee put more focus on the Highland Games, welcomed additional Scottish clans and introduced the first Scottie Dog Picnic.
Last year’s festival attracted about 1,300 people, and this year’s attendance reached close to 1,600. More than 100 volunteers helped organize the event, with most coming from Ailsa Craig and nearby communities. Visitors also travelled from London, Cambridge, Goderich, Exeter, Lucan, Parkhill and Strathroy, and as far away as Maine and Michigan.
The opening ceremony also featured the Royal Scots Light Company, a War of 1812 re-enactment group based in London. “We’re a War of 1812 re-enactment group,” said Jason Ball, captain of the Royal Scots Light Company. “We come out and give people an idea of what life was like back in 1812.”
Inside the community centre, visitors browsed Celtic artwork, handcrafted items and Scottish-themed products from nearly 20 vendors. Outside, families moved between the competition field, clan displays, music and children’s activities throughout the day.
The festival continues to grow each year, but Mombourquette said he hopes one thing never changes.
“We don’t want to lose that community flavour,” he said.
