A long-standing tradition stretching back decades is about to return to Embro.
A long-standing tradition stretching back decades is about to return to Embro.
The 83rd Embro Highland Games – Ontario’s oldest celebration of Scottish culture – will finally bring fiddlers, pipers, dancers and heavy events back to Oxford County next week after the pandemic forced organizers to cancel the festival in 2020 and 2021.
“I think it’s going to be a fabulous opportunity to rekindle our community spirit,” said Jennifer Moodie, president of the Zorra Caledonian Society. “We want people to come and really enjoy the day.”
Hundreds of years ago, Scottish immigrants forced from their homes during the Highland Clearances were among the earliest European settlers in the Embro area. Many of the traditions they brought with them have since been celebrated in the small community west of Woodstock almost every year since 1937. Prior to the pandemic, the Highland Games had only been canceled once before, during the Second World War.
The annual event’s pomp and circumstance – it’s hair-raising massed bands, charming border collies and incredible feats of strength – typically attracts between 3,000 to 4,000 people to the region every July 1.
“It really puts Embro on the map,” Moodie said.
Visitors to the Highland Games in the past will recognize many of the competitive events planned this year. Highland dancers from across Ontario will compete. So, too, will athletes who toss the caber, throw the stone, and throw the hammer – strength-building competitions in Scottish culture dating back centuries.
Scottish canines will also play prominent roles. Border collies will demonstrate their herding abilities and organizers are bringing back Scottish Dogs on Parade, an event that was first added in 2017.
“I’m looking forward to the day and I hope we get a good crowd,” said Wallace Matheson, the Caledonian Society’s vice-president. “There’s a lot to offer. We’re bouncing back well.”
Besides the traditional Scottish elements, organizers have also planned some new multicultural additions this year, including Métis fiddling, drumming and jigging. Among the performers set to participate is Alicia Blore, a Toronto-based Métis fiddler who has taken the stage with her brother Liam at national and international events, including the Louis Riel Day Celebration at Queen’s Park, the North American Indigenous Games and the 2015 Pan Am Games.
“We are trying all the time to appeal to a greater demographic to make sure (the event) is inclusive,” Moodie said. “We have exciting events going on that would appeal to young adults or young parents and also we have the traditional things … which appeal to the more nostalgic people in our community. It is really important to be able to do this again, to have everyone coming together of all ages … and backgrounds.”
Zorra Mayor Marcus Ryan said Monday he’s thankful Caledonian Society volunteers have been able to relive the event.
“Every year, I go, my family goes, and we say … we’ll just spend a couple hours, (but) we always end up spending the whole day there,” he said. “One of the main things I’m looking forward to, and that most people are as all these community events come back, is just being around other people. Especially in tight-knit small communities like Embro, like Zorra in general, people just want to be back together and rub elbows and just chat.”
IF YOU GO
What: The 83rd Embro Highland Games
When: Friday, July 1
Where: Embro Zorra Community Center
Admission: $20 for adults, $10 for youth (13-17), and free for children under 12.
More info: embrohighlandgames.ca