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 – Town of Kingsville : 519-733-2305

Enjoy a hearty, home-cooked breakfast before the Kingsville Highland Games Opening Parade at Kingsville Royal Canadian Legion Branch 188,
145 Division St S, Kingsville, ON N9Y 1P5.

Dignitaries and officials will parade with the Colour Guard from the Royal Canadian Legion to Lakeside Park for the official opening of the Kingsville Highland Games.

All will be joined in the Lakeside Park Bowl by the 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.

 Highland Dance Competition by W&DHDA enter On-line at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wdhda-kingsville-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: A HUGE THANKS to our awesome sponsors: Pearsall, Marshall, Halliwill & Seaton LLP (T-shirts); Men In Kilts (Award Medals, Lanyards & Door Prizes); Grossi Physiotherapy (Apparel); CWATS Essex County (towards 12 yrs and under) Mucci Farms (start line arch and food). Without their financial support we would not have been able to make this family-friendly event nearly as fun 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

Event Kilts:

Participants in the Kingsville Kilt Charity Run have been given the opportunity to purchase an Event Kilt at an impressively low price. This special bulk order price is also being extended to volunteers and others attending the Kingsville Highland Games 2019.
These Event Kilts…..

• Are made from actual woven tartan fabric not printed fabric
• Are fully pleated in back
• Have a front apron
• Are made from easy-care acrylic fabric
• Have an easily adjustable waist with straps and a buckle
• Are gender specific (different shape)
• Have a length that is pre-determined by the waist size ordered (on average 20-21” for women and 23” for men)
• Are made from less fabric than the 9 yards in regular kilts using 5-6 yards
• Come in a variety of randomly selected tartans - this is how we can keep the price so low

All of this for the incredible price of only $35 (including HST)!

To order your Event Kilt, call Kingsville Parks & Recreation at 519-733-2123 or drop by their front desk at the Arena at 1741 Jasperson, Kingsville, N9Y 3J4. Credit card payment can be made by phone and, in person, payment can be made by cash, cheque, debit or credit card.*

THE DEADLINE FOR ALL EVENT KILT ORDERS IS MARCH 31, 2019. ALL SALES ARE FINAL.

To order your Event Kilt you will need to provide the following information: Name, Address, Phone number, Email address, Gender, Waist Measurement

MEASUREMENTS: For proper sizing, measure your waist at the navel. The result is normally larger than your regular pants size - so do not order your pants size! The Event Kilts offered come in EVEN waist sizes 20", 22", 24 up to 52". If you are right between two sizes, order the LARGER size. Female Sizing: Females with a small waist measurement in comparison to their hips have the option to measure and wear the kilt lower on the hips. Females with a waist measurement close to their hip measurement can usually wear them high on the waist.

 KILT PICK UP: Kilts can be picked up at Kingsville Historical Park Museum, 145 Division St S, Kingsville, ON N9Y 1P5 on Thurs/Fri June 20/21 from 10am-3pm or on June 22 at the Kingsville Highland Games, Lakeside Park. Identification that matches the name on the Event Kilt order must be provided at time of pick-up.

*You can also order your Event Kilt on-line at https://raceroster.com/events/2019/19857/kingsville-kilt-charity-run. If you plan to participate

in the Kingsville Kilt Charity Run, there are a limited number of Event Kilts available with your registration for $20.

Tartan not as shown: FRONT