Sherwood Park Highland Gathering

Description of Event

The core attraction of the event is a sanctioned competitive event for pipe and drum bands, Scottish and Irish dancing, and traditional heavy games. The Highland Gathering attracts competitors and visitors locally, provincially, throughout Canada and internationally.  

The Strathcona Highland Society is collaborating with the Strathcona Firefighters Pipes and Drums, a local rugby club and local businesses to host a FREE family-oriented event. The solo piping and drumming competitions will occur during the morning leading into an official opening of the games with a march past by a massed band.  The pipe band and dance competitions begin in the afternoon and are separated into different grades, juvenile to professionals.  Competitive dancing will be featured along with local dance groups performing on the community stage. The Scottish Heavy Games will include traditional sports such as the caber toss and hammer throw.  

In addition to celebrating the Celtic culture and traditions, we are introducing a new, local artisan event: the Art-Walk. There is also a large Community Marketplace with vendors from all over Alberta. Community non-profits such as the Writers Foundation, Strathcona County Library Bookmobile, and Museum are offered space in the market area along with artisans, farmers market booths and food trucks. 

This year we are hosting our first ever “Kilted Canine Capers” – an agility event.  Attendees who bring  canine friends  will find treats, water and shade at the Petvalu Rest Stop and a local veterinarian will be on site. 

Highlighting the two-day event are some special programs: A Whisky Tasting will kick off the event on Friday evening. On Saturday, Kilted Runners will sprint around Broadmoor Lake in the Tartan Run. A  traditional Scottish Gathering with singing and dancing, the Ceilidh, will round out the Saturday evening.

For more information visit their Facebook page.  https://www.facebook.com/sherwoodparkhighland