The Community
Press Telling YOUR Story
Volume 115, Issue 8
Wednesday, August 24, 2022
$1 Including GST
gathering of the Clans
Excellent turnout for Highland Festival despite scorching heat Ally Anderson On Saturday, August 20, Sedgewick was a buzz of activity for the fourth annual Gathering of the Clans. Despite the heat, the grounds at the Sedgewick Wild Rose Co-op Recreation Centre were packed with spectators, vendors, and pipe and drum bands. The event opened with a mass of pipe and drum bands playing in unison after the opening speeches. There were over 55 vendor and food trucks available. On top of the various items to purchase, like handmade and baked goods, there was a row of local breweries of different varieties to sample and purchase from. There was the returning Birds of Prey from the Medicine River Wildlife Centre were teaching about birds of prey and their efforts to rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife. The petting zoo and the Irish Wolfhounds were a huge hit amongst the children, and even some adults had a great time meeting all of the different animals. This year also included a mini golf course
for all ages to enjoy. The pipe bands at the event this year were the North Haggis Pipe Band from Edmonton, North Saskatchewan Regimental Pipes and Drums from Saskatoon, and the Red Deer and District Pipe Band representing the Red Deer area. Other activities and events that happened during they day were Highland Dancers, The Great Kilt Demo, Ratté String Quartet, Lite Entertainment buskers with fire breathing and juggling, Ethan Harty and his blacksmithing demos, Calum Lykan Storytelling, and more. The main event for the afternoon was the Highland Games, including Putting the Stone, which is similar to shot put, the Hammer Throw, Weight Over Bar, and the ever popular Caber Toss. The event ended with a pig roast and the dance, also called a Ceilidh. Gathering of the Clans was all in all a huge success, all thanks to the Flagstaff Scottish club members planning and organizing all year, each year making it bigger and better than the last. More photos on Pages 10 & 11