The 71st Scottish Festival and Highland Games, Aug. 12 to 14, was a success despite heavy downpours that delayed many events and activities on Saturday.
“Sunday was very successful. Obviously Saturday lunchtime was a bit of a pain,” said festival president Dave Radley.
While attendance figures hadn’t yet been finalized, Radley said on Aug. 16, “I don’t think it will be too bad.
“I imagine revenue will be reasonable, it will obviously be down. Friday night was very good and I think everyone seemed to enjoy it. And Sunday was an excellent day. I think it was one of the best Sundays that I’ve ever seen.”
Radley said the pipes and drums competitions were the only events that had to be completely cancelled due to the risks of lightning “and the fact that every one of their instruments would have been ruined if we’d asked them to stand out on that field in that downpour.”
Radley said the heavy events, which resumed after the rain finished, were completed.
“Dance got through their program. It was probably the biggest dance registration that we have had … They were quite happy under their big new tent.”
With typical Scottish resolve, participants in the clan gatherings showed great determination through the rain-soaked opening ceremonies, said Radley.
“They were marched on and they stayed there. Not one person left the field and most of them stayed afterward even though everything got soaked.”
Tornado warnings threatened Saturday evening, jeopardizing a pipe concert in the concert tent, but Radley said organizers stayed in touch with the Ontario Provincial Police about potential risks.
“We got pretty close to calling that one, but [the storm] moved on from us so the concert went ahead.”
Radley said most people, organizers, volunteers and visitors handled the weather issues in a positive fashion.
“The vast majority of people either involved in setting the program up or enjoying the program really took it very well … most of the patrons were very good about it.”
