Wednesday, March 16, 2022
Southpoint Sun - 23
Highland Games returning to Kingsville
By Mark Ribble KINGSVILLE — After a two-year hiatus due to COVID restrictions, it’s full steam ahead for the Kingsville Highland Games. The games — a summertime staple in Kingsville in the 1970s and ’80s — make their triumphant return on June 25, 2022. The Highland Games were first brought back to Kingsville in 2019 and attracted more than 6,000 people to Lakeside Park. The goal this year is to surpass that number. According to games committee chair, Doug Plumb, the one-day event will feature all of the old favourites, like Celtic dancing and music, a 5K Kilt Run, pipe bands and the crowd favourite, the heavy events. The heavy events include the caber toss, hammer throw, stone throw and of course, the tug-owar. Food, vendors, a clan village and a beer tent with live entertainment are also planned. “It’s truly a community event,” says Plumb. “We’re trying to keep this affordable for families to come out and enjoy it all.” Plumb says that early-bird tickets are already on sale and moving quite briskly. Cost is only $15 per person if you buy before April 30. Cost after April 30 is $20. Kids under 14 are admitted for free. “It’s an event put on purely by a group of volunteers as a committee of council,”, he noted. The town has thrown its support behind the event and recognizes the history behind the Scottish heritage in this area. The Town of Kingsville is the official sponsor of the Highland Games. Highland Games date back to the 11th century and Scots have been coming to Windsor and Essex County since the days of the fur trade. “There’s been great enthusiasm and support from the community for the return of the Highland Games, and we’re certainly looking forward to seeing a little piece of Kingsville’s history return to Lakeside Park,” stated Mayor Nelson Santos about their return in 2019. “The committee and staff are working hard to keep the tradition
and spirit of the games in the forefront, and it’s shaping up to be a fun, family outing that everyone will enjoy.” Santos will be competing in the Haggis Hurl, which will pit local dignitaries against each other in tossing haggis across the field in Lakeside Park. The night before the event, there will be a ‘Blessing of the Keg’ as Kingsville Brewery,
Banded Goose and The Grove are all planning on creating a beer specifically for the games. Pelee Island Winery also plans a commemorative bottle of wine. The games will open at 8:30 am with a massed bands parade and highland fling, as pipe and drum bands — along with Celtic dancers — take to the main field. The Scottish Athletic
Heavy Events will follow, along with the 5K Kilt Run and the Tug-O-War. A sheep herding event will bring joy to the faces of those in attendance, and the Mayors’ Haggis Hurl will get lots of attention. There will be lots of activities for lads and lasses, as well as the clan village and ‘Kitchen Party Ceilidh’ (pronounced Kaylee) featuring The Mudmen and the Steel
City Rovers. Since parking is very limited around Lakeside Park, Plumb says they’ve got a shuttle service ready to pick up and drop off. “We want people to be able to get back and forth,” he says. “The shuttle will run all day long.” He says to bring your own lawnchairs or blanket to enjoy the day’s festivities at Lakeside Park.
“It’s good to be able to present the games this year,” said Doug Plumb. “A lot of work goes into it and we love to see the smiles on people’s face.” More information is available at kingsville. ca/highlandgames or look for them on Facebook. You can also purchase advance tickets at Kingsville Arena.
These young dancers were part of the festivities at the 2019 Kingsville Highland Games. SUN file photos
Community Calendar
Local competitor Mike Dibbley gets ready to throw a stone at the 2019 Highland Games.
MAIN GATE - LAKSIDE PARK OPEN @ 8:30 A.M. DIVISION RD. S. & HERRINGTON RD.
CEILIDH / BEER TENT OPEN @ 5:30 P.M. FEATURING MUDMEN & STEEL CITY ROVERS
PARKING SHUTTLES RUNNING ALL DAY Buy before April 30 and Save $5/person!
TICKETS (after April 30):$20/person
• PPBSO Pipe Bands Piping & Drumming - Grades 1-5 • W&DHD Highland Dancing • Scottish Athletic Heavy Events • Kilted 5K Run/Walk • Tug of War • Sheep Herding • Mayors Haggis Hurl • Clan Village • Lads & Lassies Activities • 30 + Vendors
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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16 LEAMINGTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY MEETS the third Wednesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Next meeting is March 16. This year’s theme is ‘Using Native Plants Instead of Invasive Plants in Our Gardens. Email LeamingtonHorticulturalSociety@gmail. com to get the Zoom link. Members hope to be able to meet in person soon. Watch for updates. THURSDAY, MARCH 17 SENIORS HORMONE HEALTH with Karen Edgerton, Registered Holistic Nutritionist, 11am to 12 noon. Learn about Hormone Health Part 2: Cholesterol. Inperson at Kingsville Community Centre 1860 Division Rd N and live streamed on YouTube at Kingsville Community Centre. Register: admin@kingsvillecentre.com or 226-7735830. Free admission. SATURDAY, MARCH 19 ANNUAL WHEATLEY LEGION ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARTY - at Talbot Trail Golf Course, Wheatley. Hosted by Roberta Dibbley and Sandra Wolf. Meat draw tickets go on sale at 3:00 p.m. First draw at 3:30 p.m. Everyone welcome to join the fun. THURSDAY, MARCH 24 EATING FOR BETTER HEALTH with Cheryl Pedler, Registered Dietician, 11am to 12 noon. Learn about health eating for anti-inflammatory. In-person at Kingsville Community Centre 1860 Division Rd N and live streamed on YouTube at Kingsville Community Centre. Register: admin@kingsvillecentre.com or 226-773-5830. Free admission. THURSDAY, MARCH 24 KINGSVILLE COMMUNITY CENTRE - RETURN OF THE COFFEE HOUSE! Musicians, singers, poets and storytellers are welcome to join friends. Free admission, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. TUESDAY, APRIL 5 HISTORY TALK SERIES with Veronica Brown, 11am to 12 noon. 15 decades of
built heritage on Kingsville’s Division Street South. In-person at Kingsville Community Centre 1860 Division Rd N and live streamed on YouTube at Kingsville Community Centre. Register: admin@kingsvillecentre.com or 226-773-5830. Free admission.
TUES. APRIL 5 & FRI. APRIL 8 GRIEF SHARE CLASSES will meet Tuesday, April 5 and Friday, April 8, 1:30 p.m. both days, at the Leamington Half Century Centre, 160 Talbot St. E. There is no charge for these classes. Call 519-326-2521 to register or call Cliff at 519-816-5449. ONGOING COMMUNITY ANGEL CLOTHING CUPBOARD OPEN WEDNESDAYS by appointment only, 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Call 519-326-3111 to book your appointment. All are welcome! Free! St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church, 60 Erie St. N., Leamington. Donated gently used clothing for men, women and children of all ages. MUSICIANS AND SINGERS WANTED at the Leamington Half Century Club to join in the weekly singalong every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. Drop in if interested (160 Talbot St. E.). Call 519-326-2521 for more info. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE’S DRINKING? Al-Anon Family Groups meeting information: 519790-7739 or www.alanonwindsoressex.com T.O.P.S. - Take Off Pounds Sensibly Meetings are held every Tuesday evening at the Leamington Half Century Centre, 160 Talbot St. E. Weigh-in from 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. Meeting 7:00 - 7:30 p.m. First meeting is free. For more inforamtoin call Joan at 519326-2388. Everyone welcome. ERIE SHORES TOASTMASTERS Meeting online at 6:00 p.m. every other Wednesday. Develop your Communication and Leadership Skills in a positive, friendly environment. Next
meetings are March 16 & 30. Visit a meeting and see how you like it! For more info Email: ErieShoresTM@yahoo.com Facebook: Erie Shores Toastmasters or go to ErieShores. toastmastersclubs.org and click on Contact Us. STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH? Reach out to Hope 4 Me Peer to Peer Support Group. Virtual and in-person meetings available. Contact Tracy, Sue or Nancy at hope4mepeer@gmail.com for information about the group.
DONATE BLOOD - Leamington Blood Donor Clinic - at the Leamington Lebanese Club, 447 Hwy. 77 Leamington. 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. Book ahead. Book now. Visit: blood.ca or call 1-888-236-6283. COMMUNITY TAKEOUT IS AVAILABLE at Leamington United Church, 4:00 - 5:00 pm every Monday. St. John’s Anglican Church also has takeout meals available every Wednesday from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Food is available from St. Vincent De Paul at St. Michael’s Parish 226-340-7233, Salvation Army Food Bank, The warming Cross at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Food Cupboard at St. John’s Anglican church, The Bridge (ages 14-24), Food Pantry at Parkdale Variety, neighbourhood pantry at Erie South and Marlborough and the Angel Pantry at St. John’s Anglican Church. All are free. All are welcome. IF YOU WANT TO DRINK, THAT’S YOUR BUSINESS If you want to stop, we can help. Call Alcoholics Anonymous: 519999-1234. MELO CLINIC & PREGNANCY CENTRE, 75 Erie Street South, Unit 103, Leamington, offers free and confidential services provided by registered nurses. Pregnancy tests, STI testing & treatment. Call 24/7 for confidential support 519-3260612. Business calls 519-326-3821. www. pregnancycentre.net.
