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Highland Games is a Spring Fling

2015 Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival takes over Topaz Park May 16 to 18.

The skirl of the pipes and the scent of whisky will be in the air as the 2015 Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival takes over Topaz Park May 16 to 18.

New events and exhibits include a strongman competition, a sheaf toss competition, the Celtic Cup – a three-day Gaelic football tournament – sheep dog herding demonstrations, hurling demonstrations, blacksmithing and more.

Although the event is strong on athletic competition, music, dance and entertainment is also high on the list of things to do, including a crowd favourite, highland dance.

One local performer to watch out for is Provincial Champion, 14-year-old Sarah Bryan.

Inspired by her older cousins to take up highland dancing, her work ethic has taken her to the top of her class. “I just like how energetic it is and how I can learn new things – it makes me happy,” she says.

Pipebands scheduled to compete on Sunday, May 17:

Grade 4:

· White Spot Pipe Band

· Pipes and Drums of the Pacific Gael

· Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band

Grade 3:

· Greighlan Crossing Pipe Band

· Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band - Grade 3

Grade 2:

· Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band - Grade 2

Grade 1:

· Simon Fraser University Pipe Band (6 time world champions)

There are more than 100 solo pipers and drummers competing on Sunday, May 17.

Dancers and musical entertainment will include: Victoria Irish Dancers; Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band; Address to the Haggis with Cole Griffiths; Victoria Highland Games Dancers; Vancouver Island Scottish Country Dancers; O’Connor – O’Brien School of Irish Dancing; Coastline; Knacker’s Yard; Mary Ross Accordionist; The Sweet Lowdown Duo; Slow Pokes; The McGillicuddys; Black Angus; Cookeilidh; Sets In The West; Tom Morrissey; Celtic Reflections; Sarah Tradewell; Crikey Mor; The O’Brien Family; Jane’s Way; Joe Higgins; Ivonne Hernandez; and The Clanns.

For more information, and a full schedule click here.