Fergus, Ontario

[Canuck]

That's the same weekend as Cambridge, isn't it? Anybody have a suggestion about preferences? Which is bigger? More diverse? Has the better range of vendors?

Cambridge is in July. http://www.cambridgehighlandgames.com/
It is smaller than Fergus, fewer vendors. I used to go to Cambridge but they didn't like me using solar power to operate my electrical components.
The largest is the Glengarry Games in Maxville http://www.glengarryhighlandgames.com/ I'm the only xmarks advertiser that makes the trek to those games.
I like the Embro games each year it gets better. http://embrohighlandgames.ca/ It is always held on Canada Day.
Bill you should check out Kincardine just up the road from you. http://www.kincardinescottishfestival.ca/ It's picturesque and they have a parade right down Main street on Saturday at noon.

[JohntheBiker]

I've been to all four. Maxville, I think, is best for bands (North American pipe band championships); Cambridge is more modest (compact venue, fewer clans and vendors) but easy to take it all in); Embro games are pretty good but holding it on Canada Day can be a drawback, especially if midweek; Fergus has the best selection of vendors, decent clan representation, a pretty good venue and good competitions. If I can only fit in one highland games, it will likely be Ferguson.

I've met up with Robert at three of the games.

[JohntheBiker]

I've been to all four. Maxville, I think, is best for bands (North American pipe band championships); Cambridge is more modest (compact venue, fewer clans and vendors) but easy to take it all in); Embro games are pretty good but holding it on Canada Day can be a drawback, especially if midweek; Fergus has the best selection of vendors, decent clan representation, a pretty good venue and good competitions. If I can only fit in one highland games, it will likely be Ferguson.

I've met up with Robert at three of the games.

Don't you just love auto-correct, that would be Fergus and not Ferguson.

[Father Bill]

Cambridge is in July. http://www.cambridgehighlandgames.com/
It is smaller than Fergus, fewer vendors. I used to go to Cambridge but they didn't like me using solar power to operate my electrical components.
The largest is the Glengarry Games in Maxville http://www.glengarryhighlandgames.com/ I'm the only xmarks advertiser that makes the trek to those games.
I like the Embro games each year it gets better. http://embrohighlandgames.ca/ It is always held on Canada Day.
Bill you should check out Kincardine just up the road from you. http://www.kincardinescottishfestival.ca/ It's picturesque and they have a parade right down Main street on Saturday at noon.

Unfortunately, Kincardine has a conflict for me this year. I always go to Embro if I can, but from the comments here Fergus & Kincardine sound like the ones to add to my schedule!

[aonghas]

Well It does seem that my wife and I will be able to go to Fergus, if all stays stable. Hopefully we will get there on Thursday afternoon. You'll be able to recognize me with my deer antlered walking stick, will have hose by Rkilt from a previous festival. The white hose was tongue in cheek but now I will sorely tempted.

[Eric D Scott]

Not to get off topic but Kincardine also has their annual Kincardine gathering of the bands on the last Saturday of August. Bands and dancers and folk bands playing in Victoria park during the day (free entrance if you're a band member - just have to sign in and free hotdogs, corn on the cob and pop) then in the evening after 6pm all the pipe bands and individuals gather on the Main Street in mass band formation and march up and down the Main Street back to the park while almost the whole town follows behind. Playing in the band is quite a feeling and is a fun day. Mind you every year my band went, it would rain sometime during the day. But again nothing beats being 1 of only 6 guys playing in a down pour while everyone else watches from the protection of the trees! Good times!