Cambridge Highland Games

The 37^th Annual Cambridge Highland Games will be held in Cambridge on the third week of July. Cambridge highland Games is a not-for-profit organization managed and operated by volunteers. The Highland Games have long been part of summers in Cambridge.

The Cambridge Highland Games grew out of a competition amongst  the organized playing of pipes and bands founded by Duncan MacLachlan, a member of the Waterloo Regional Police force and founder of the Police Pipe Band. The games were initiated when the police association built the recreation centre close to Ayr in 1975. Sponsored by the Waterloo Regional Police Association, the games were an instant success.

The Cambridge Highland Games has, since inception, been a community festival. As well as the commonly known athletic events such as caber toss and hammer throw (heavy events), over the years the games have hosted prestigious competitions in piping and dancing. The Games were moved to ChurchillPark in 1987 where they continue to be held.

Ceilidh

Ceilidh is a Gaelic word meaning ‘a visit’ or ‘a gathering’. Historically a ceilidh would be held in a kitchen, a bothy, or anywhere else where people might gather. Folks would entertain one another during the long Scots winter nights (and in summer too) with storytelling, jokes, riddles, songs, tunes and dancing.

In the 20th century, another form of ceilidh, a Ceilidh Dance, was developed from an old tradition of dance that stretches to before records of dancing existed in Scotland, and this form is very much in demand wherever an occasion (any occasion) arises. The core of the Ceilidh Dance is the dancing, but between dances there are still perfect opportunities for all sorts of songs, stories, jokes and fun.

Ceilidh “PUB NIGHT” is on Friday July 20,  at UK Club 35 International Village Drive, Cambridge. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Tickets at the door are $15.00 (incl,. Pie & Mushy Peas,dessert and refreshment). Live entertainment, Mini Pipe Band, Door Prizes…

The Cambridge Highland Games 2012 itinerary of events:

8:30 – Noon     Piping & Drumming Competition

8:00 – Noon     Highland Dance Competition

8:30                 Start of 8km Road Race

10:00 – Noon   Heavy Events Competition

10:30 – Noon   Tug O War Competition

12:00 – 12:30   Opening Ceremonies Massed Bands

12:45 – 1:15     Sheep Dog Demonstration

1:00 - 5:00   Grade 1,2,3,4,5 and Grade 6 Band Competition

5:00 Closing Ceremonies

Competitions on going all day

Heavy Events, Tug O War,

Band Competitions,

Highland Dance

Other All Day Attractions:

Avenue of the Clans

Food Vendors

Indoor Tea Room

Retail Vendors

Childrens Area Bouncy Tent

Childrens Highland Games

Face Painting

Balloon Clowns

Beer Garden

Weavers

Where: Churchill Park, 200 Christopher Drive, Cambridge

When: July 21, 2012

For more information please visit website

365 things to do in Kitchener Waterloo is brought to you by Keith Marshall, who, when he’s not selling real estate, has been known to enjoy haggis, warm pints of beer and tossing the occasional heavy object.