Maxville Ontario — It’s no wonder the Glengarry Highland Games weekend is a date that is circled on thousands of calendars across North America. The Games on Friday, August 2nd and Saturday, August 3rd in Maxville, Ontario, offers something for everyone no matter if Scottish or not. The traditional competitions in piping & drumming, heavyweights and highland dancing bring contestants from across Canada and many parts of the United States. Two days of competitions at both amateur and professional levels provide Games goers with an opportunity to take in those just starting out and those who are at the top of their field.

No highland games would be complete without wall-to-wall celtic music and the Glengarry Highland Games abounds in that area. Glengarry County offers outstanding celtic entertainers such as the Brigadoons, Hadrian’s Wall and The Two Paddys and they will all be there along with many other of the region’s best. Added to this year’s music lineup are North American favorites, celtic-rock band The Elders and baritone Charlie Zahm. Growing in popularity at the Games is Scottish fiddle which starts with the Young Fiddlers’ Showcase on Friday and is followed by Scottish workshops and a ceilidh with guest fiddler, Cape Breton’s Mike Hall on Saturday.

Two of the highlights of the Games are the Friday Night Tattoo and the massed pipe bands closing on Saturday. This year’s Tattoo presents the George Brown College Pipes and Drums from Edinburgh Scotland, the 2012 Scottish Pipe Band of the Year and Juvenile World Champions. The evening gets started with performances by The Elders and the world renowned MacCulloch Dancers. What can be better than a midsummer’s concert in the open air followed by a military tattoo and capped by fireworks!

Few can put into words the sensation that is felt when a thousand pipers and drummers take to the infield marching and playing in unison at the Games closing on Saturday evening. When the lone pipe band begins Amazing Grace and is joined by the entire field of bands, there is no one unmoved by the glorious sound.

There is much more to be found at the Games – excellent shopping for all sorts of Scottish goods and foods, special competitions for children, the clans gathering to share their history and traditions – and all for the small price of $20 per day with children under 12 admitted free.

Come to the Games once and be captivated forever by this wee bit of Scotland so close to home! For complete Games information and ticket purchases, go to glengarryhighlandgames.com.