Mark Sunday, August 1st, on your calendars for the 2010 edition of the Montreal Scottish Festival (Highland Games).  The Festival takes place on the grounds of the George Springate Sports Centre, located directly behind the Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School.  The school is on Pierrefonds Blvd., one street east of boul St. Jean (click on 'directions' for a map).

Over the past 33 years, the Montreal Scottish Festival (Highland Games) has become one of the ‘premier’ events on the North American highland games circuit. The Montreal Festival is always held on the Sunday following the Maxville Games, which makes a double header for pipe bands, athletes, highland dancers and spectators. (Among competitors this has become known as the M&M weekend.)

NEW THIS YEAR
The Montreal Scottish Festival, in co-operation with HYPERBOLE MUSIC, will present the Montreal CELTFEST on Saturday, July 31st.  The CeltFest will be held on the same site as the Games with festivities starting at noon and continuing until 8:00pm.  There is a seperate admission charge of $10.00 for this Saturday event.  Click on the icon above for more details.  Make it a full weekend of Celtic fun.

Here is the line-up for Saturday's entertainment:

 

 

Pipes and dancers      12:30 p.m. – 1:10 p.m.            (40 minutes)

Belfast Andi and Swift Years  1:25 p.m. – 2:10 p.m.  (45 minutes)

Solstice                       2:25 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.              (45 minutes)

Dave Gossage            3:25 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.              (45 minutes)

Sarah Burnell             4:25 p.m. – 5:10 p.m.              (45 minutes)

Ennis                          5:25 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.              (65 minutes)

The Once                    6:45 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.              (75 minutes)

The ten to twelve athletes that participate in the seven heavyweight events are the elite of their sport. It is truly thrilling to see them throwing the hammers, weights, sheaves and cabers.

The Montreal Scottish Festival has changed the format for pipe bands this year.  In place of the band competitions, we have contracted a number of grade 1 and grade 2 bands to present a full afternoon of pipe band concerts.  These concerts will be presented on a stage in concert format.  Bands are free to play whatever they want.  We feel this will be an extremely interesting show.  The sight and sound of these bands playing together at the opening ceremonies will stir the blood of absolutely everyone in the park.

The grace and precision of the highland dancers is a beautiful thing to watch. Whether you are a knowledgeable expert or novice spectator, these dancers will impress everyone.

In addition to the competitive events, there are demonstrations of Scottish fiddle playing and Scottish Country Dancing. One can also visit the Clan Society kiosks and more than 60 boutiques selling everything from haggis and kilts to hamburgers and Montreal smoked meat sandwiches. The refreshment tent offers a number of imported ales as well as domestic brews. There is hand clapping, foot stomping music all afternoon to go along with your cool beverage.

The Scottish Festival is always a real family event, and the kiddies have not been forgotten. The kiddies’ corner features inflated bounce rides, pony rides and other activities designed especially for them. All these activities for the children are free.

For those wishing to attend the Festival in 'style', look into the Patrons' Package.  The perks offered by this plan are turely remarkable for the price ($90.00).

There is an admission cost of $15.00 for adults, however children under 12 years old are admitted free of charge. The Festival also supplies free round trip transportation to the site from HURLEY’S IRISH PUB, 1225 CRESCENT STREET, MONTREAL starting at 9:00am. The last bus leaves the Games site at 8:00PM, returning to the Crescent Street terminus. Please navigate around the site for additional information. A map is available HERE .