Kingsville Highland Games

Back at last!

Hosted by the Town of Kingsville, the Kingsville Highland Games will once again grace the north shores of Lake Erie in a celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture. Last held here in 1987, the games attracted more than 6000 visitors.

Beautiful Lakeside Park provides the backdrop for the skirl of the bagpipes, the triumphant roars of the caber tossers and the spirited exuberance of the lithe and energetic highland dancers. There will also be a Kilt Charity Run and an evening ceilidh featuring The Mudmen and so much more.

Want to get involved with the Kingsville Highland Games as a volunteer?

We NEED your help to make the Kingsville Highland Games a huge fun success!   

There are numerous areas where help is needed. Volunteers who work the minimum required hours gain entrance into the main event and a t-shirt for free.  

Please follow this link to sign-up and keep informed as the event approaches.

 Kingsville Highland Games Volunteer Sign-up

Contact Us:

kingsvillegames@gmail.com

Follow us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/scott.land.520900

Phone – Kingsville Parks and Recreation at 519-733-2123

Dignitaries and officials will parade for the official opening of the Kingsville Highland Games at noon.  All will be joined in the Lakeside park Bowl by competing Pipe Bands and Highland Dancers for a stirring and spectacular mass band and dance exhibition as part of the Opening Ceremonies.

 PPBSO Sanctioned Pipe and Drums Competitions:

Grades 3, 4 and 5 pipe bands as well as solo pipers and drummers will compete in the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario (PPBSO) sanctioned competitions. The bands will compete on the main field while solo competitions will be scattered throughout the park. A list of Pipe Bands attending will be posted shortly.

Kingsville Highland Games Highland Dance Competition

To Register for the Highland Dance Competition please follow this link to eventbrite:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wdhda-kingsville-highland-games-registration-55402382016

Highland Dancing, which requires the endurance and strength of an athlete and the artistry of a dancer, is the traditional solo dancing of Scotland, and should not be confused with Scottish country dancing—the social dance of the country. The latter shares elements with ballroom and formation dance (i.e. dance, in which an important element is the pattern of movement across the dance floor, such as in square dancing).

Unfortunately, the origins of Highland Dancing are shrouded in antiquity, legend--and even the mists of the mountains. Little academic research has been undertaken into this beautiful and important art form—in part, because very little was recorded, as Highland culture was largely an oral culture, with song and traditions passed down by word of mouth, and part because dance masters passed their steps down to young protégées. Consequently, steps and dances took on the regional character of the diverse and magnificent regions. Many of the legends are beautiful and inspiring to young dancers, and should be recorded for the future.

In previous centuries, Scottish regiments used Highland Dancing as exercise to keep the troops in shape, and ready for battle. The dances are indeed excellent exercise; for example, in a typical six-step Highland Fling, a dancer will jump vertically 192 times, while performing complicated and intricate footwork, and using the muscles from head to toe. Highland dancing is therefore akin to sprinting, with dancers using fast-twitch muscle, which is also required by soldiers.

Today, Highland Dancing is one of the premiere events at Highland Games throughout the world; for example, in Canada, Japan, Scotland, South Africa, and the United States of America. Until the early 1900's, only men entered Highland Dancing competitions. However, the tradition changed during the World Wars, as women wanted to preserve their rich culture and history, while the men were defending their homeland.

Competitive female dancers now outnumber male dancers by about one hundred to one, although the dancing community is always eager to welcome more men, for their strength is very much celebrated. 

In order to be a successful competitive dancer, students require many hours of practice and training over a period of numerous years, as Highland dancing has much in common with ballet in terms of its technique. Students also require mastery of the four basic Highland dances, namely, the Highland Fling, the Sword Dance, Seann Truibhas (pronounced ‘shawn trewes’), and the reel—all of which are performed in the traditional kilt.

The Highland Fling

The most commonly recounted history of the ‘Fling’ is that it is a dance of celebration, performed after victory in battle. Clansmen performed the dance on a small round targe,  a circular shield of wood with the front covered in tough hide, and the back in deer or sheepskin. The targe weighed approximately five pounds, and was strong enough to withstand the thrust of a bayonet. The front of the shield was decorated with brass studs and plates, and often had a long spike in the centre.

Agility, nimble footwork, and strength allowed the dancer to avoid the sharp spike, which often projected five to six inches upwards.

The Sword Dance

Perhaps the most renowned Highland Dance is the Sword Dance, which has its roots in Scotland’s embattled past.

Some suggest that Malcolm Canmore, King of Scotland, who ruled the country between 1054 and 1096, created the dance. In 1054 Malcolm Canmore began the military campaign that Macbeth made famous. Malcolm, supported by the Earl of Northumbria, was able to force territorial concessions from Macbeth at the bloody battle of Dunsinane on 24 July, 1054.

After the success, Malcolm is believed to have placed his own sword on top of that of his enemy in the form of a cross and danced triumphant over them.

Others suggest that warriors danced the Sword Dance the night before battle. If the dancer touched the sword, the dancer would be wounded the next day, but if a dancer kicked the sword, he would be killed.

The dance is performed today to the pipe tune Ghillie Calum with two or more slow steps followed by one or two quick steps. If a dancer touches a sword (but not displaces it in competition), the dancer loses five marks. However, if the dancer displaces the sword, she is disqualified.

Seann Truibhas

Seann Truibhas, pronounced ‘Shawn Trewes’, is Gaelic for ‘Old Trousers’. It is largely believed that the dance developed after the 1745 Jacobite Rising, when Charles Edward Stuart (more affectionately known as Bonnie Prince Charlie) came to Scotland (from France) to win back the crown.

Initially the uprising was a staggering success; the Jacobite army rapidly broke out of the Highlands, captured Edinburgh, and advanced as far south as Derby in England. Unfortunately, the army lacked the necessary French support, and so retreated back to their stronghold in the Highlands, where it was finally defeated at Culloden Moor near Inverness in 1746.

Afterwards, the government decided to end once and for all the Jacobite military threat. Jacobites were rounded up, imprisoned or executed. Estates were snatched, the clan system dismantled, and their kilt and plaids, pipes, and weaponry outlawed.

Some therefore suggest that the dance was created when the above Act of Proscription was repealed in 1783, and Highlanders were once again allowed to wear their kilts. The first part of the dance—the balletic, graceful slow time (as Bonnie Prince Charlie came from France) with brushing movements--are thought by some to mimic a clansman shedding his ‘hated’ trewes; and the quick-time is thought to reflect the Highlander’s returning to his tradition of Highland dress and custom (as the quick steps are similar in style to that of the Highland Fling).

Another interpretation suggests that the dance is, in fact, the Highlander ‘showing-off’ his new tartan trewes to the English King.

The dance is performed to the pipe tune, ‘Whistle o’er the Lave o’t’ for both the slow and quick time.

Thank you to Kristy Duncan PhD - Introduction to Highland Dancing

 Scottish Athletic Heavy Event Competition:

Under the guidelines of the Canadian Scottish Athletic Federation, male and female athletes will compete in various Heavy Event Competitions. These
will include the world-famous caber toss along with weights for height and distance. Check back for more information in the coming months.

5k Kingsville Kilt Charity Run Walk/Run

We are excited to announce our FIRST Kingsville Kilt Charity Run as part of the Kingsville Highland Games. The Kilt Run starts at 10am and is in support of the Neighbourhood Charitable Alliance and the Kingsville Historical Park Museum. $10 from each 5k registration fee of $40 ($5 from 12 yrs and under registration fee of $20) goes directly to support our charities. 

5k-ers must wear kilts or tartan pattern clothing. Non 5k participants can also purchase an Event Kilt online at: https//raceroster.com/events/2019/19857/kingsville-kilt-charity-run or at the Kingsville Parks and Recreation department at 519-733-212

Current Sponsors:

Current Sponsors: A HUGE THANKS to our awesome sponsors: Grossi Physiotherapy (Kilts); CWATS Essex County (healthy snacks & beverages); Pearsall, Marshall, Halliwill & Seaton LLP & Baker Tilly (T-shirts); Men In Kilts (Award Medals, Lanyards & Door Prizes); and, Mucci Farms (start line arch and fresh produce). Without their financial support we would not have been able to make this family-friendly event nearly as fun, healthy or affordable.

Race Roster online registration:  https://raceroster.com/events/2019/19857/kingsville-kilt-charity-run

Kilt Charity Run FB page (for updates): https://www.facebook.com/KingsvilleKiltRun

 Sheep Herding Demonstrations:

Watch as a seasoned sheep herder works closely with her talented border collie to rally a herd of sheep into one pen. Viki Kidd has travelled across Ontario showcasing her eye catching skills and will be performing throughout the day. Be sure to stop by to catch one of her demonstrations!

 Clan Gathering:

Calling all Clan Societies:

There will be a Clan Village at the Kingsville Highland Games and we hope you will consider representing your clan there. Please send an email to: kiltedgoose@bell.net to let us know if your society would like to register and we will get back to you with more details.

Scottish Clans represented thus far:

 Local Artist Exhibition:

Kingsville and the surrounding area has an abundance of local talent. Visit our artist tent where 20 or so artists will be exhibiting and selling their wares.

 Mayors Haggis Hurl:

According to Wikipedia, Haggis Hurling is a Scottish sport involving the hurling of a haggis as far as possible for distance and accuracy from atop a platform (usually a whisky barrel). The haggis must be edible after landing.

Join us as the mayor of Kingsville and mayors from surrounding towns compete for the title of Chief Haggis Hurler of the  Kingsville Highland Games 2019.

 Events for the Lads and Lassies:

Activities are being organized for the wee ones in your clan to enjoy.  We will be updating this section shortly.  In the meantime, check out the Charity Kilt Race Lads and Lassies Dash on this website.

 Ceilidh with the Mudmen:

Join us Saturday evening for an unforgettable experience in the Lakeside Pavilion where laughter and music featuring the Mudmen will have your feet stomping. Known as a ‘blast of Celtic energy’ on and off stage, the Mudmen have been very successful in Canada and abroad playing at various award ceremonies, on television soundtracks for Hockey Night in Canada and other prominent events. They recently celebrated 20 years of success in March 2018. 

Entry fee: $20 available at Kingsville Arena. (Separate from Highland Games Admission)

Evening Ceildh Event restricted to adults 19 years of age and older.