Orillia’s annual celebration of all things Scottish is returning for its 42nd year.
The Orillia Scottish Festival will take place July 19 to 21.
Festivities will kick off July 19 with a ceilidh, a party at the Orillia Legion that will include Highland dancing, storytelling by Brad Woods and performances by a pipe band and Ugly Horse. That event is the only part of the festival that requires a separate ticket. Tickets cost $15 and can be purchased at the Legion bar or office. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the party starts at 7.
There’s a packed schedule for July 20, when the festival takes over Couchiching Beach Park. Admission is granted to those who have purchased a $2 button at the gate.
It will start at noon with a parade down Mississaga Street, to the park. The massed pipes and drums performance will then take place, followed by opening ceremonies at about 1:15 p.m. The children’s village will open at 1:30.
There will also be a presentation from the 78th Fraser Highlanders on July 20.
“Every year, we try to have something new or a little different with the festival and we thought this would be a good opportunity,” said Angela Paylor, who chairs the festival with Carrie Dunn.
The festival honours a different Scottish clan every year. This year, it’s the Buchanan clan, which will be represented by Linda Buchanan, a member of the City of Orillia Pipes and Drums.
Clan, craft and food vendors will be on site July 20, and there will also be a pub tent.
Entertainment, including Highland dancers, Scottish country dancers and music from Tom Leadbeater, will start at 2 p.m.
Another massed pipes and drums performance will take place at 5:15 p.m. on the Saturday.
While the festival is in the park for just one day, the festivities will continue on July 21. The annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan starts at 10 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Then, starting at 1:30 p.m., entertainment will continue at the Legion.
“There’s something for everybody at the Scottish Festival,” Paylor said.
She should know. Before she and Dunn began chairing the event, they performed as Highland dancers. Also, Paylor’s grandfather was on the organizing committee years ago.
“I came to know it through his involvement and then as a dancer performing at it,” she said. “It was a time for my family to come together and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a tradition.”
More information about the weekend’s events will be posted to the festival’s Facebook page.
