Fergus, Home to the Highland Games

Every year in August the sleepy little town of Fergus Ontario explodes in population and activity as the Highland Games swing into full action. The town of Fergus was originally founded by freed slaves from the United States, but since then the population has grown so that it is predominantly Scottish. In fact, the Highland Games held in Fergus are said to attract the largest number of clans of any such events, anywhere in the world! So, what’s in store for you if you decide to make Fergus a stop and take in this huge event? Let’s take a look!

Competitions

There are several types of competitions that are likely to occur at any Highland Games and festival, but it is the big events that most people are aware of. Appropriately enough, the simplicity of Scottish speech has termed these the “heavy” events. Here are the top four.

Caber toss: You’ve probably seen a bit of this event on the television. A long pole is taken up by a large man and then tossed into the air. The goal isn’t distance, but rather the perfect throw, in which the pole hits the ground first with the large end and then the small end both hitting at twelve o’clock in rotation.

Stone Put: The move made famous in Braveheart, very similar to shot put but with a much larger rock. Distance is the winner here!

Hammer throw: Again similar to the Olympic event.

Sheaf Toss: How high can you throw a bundle of hay with a pitchfork? If you’re strong enough you’ll take the prize.

These events are tailored both for men and women.

Music

Of course, there can’t be the Highland feeling without Highland tunes! The Highland games at Fergus include the talents of many musicians specializing in Highland instruments including harps, fife pipes, lutes, and of course bagpipes.

It’s the bagpipes, of course, that are the most used for the music at the games. Everything from solo pipers to large groups of marchers can be found at the opening and closing of the Games and at events in between.

So if Highland Games are of any interest to you at all, it’s worth checking out the yearly event held in Fergus. There is no better place to take in an ancient and much celebrated culture!

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