Greater Moncton will be celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture this week.

The 18th annual Greater Moncton Highland Games and Scottish Festival returns this week.

Event Manager Jenna Morton says more than 250 participants will be taking part.

“Our competitors travel from across the Maritimes, so we have a lot of people who come from Nova Scotia, from P.E.I, and from around the province.  It’s not that Moncton’s Scottish community is that large, we just put on a really large show.”

The history of the highland games can be possibly traced back to the Scottish Middle Ages, when in 1040 A.D., King Malcolm III summoned men to a race, in order to find the fastest runner in Scotland to be his royal messenger, and as time progressed, strength, jumping, running, throwing and riding competitions were introduced as a means of selecting the most able men for soldiers and couriers.

Morton says other demonstrations and displays with local horse and wagon teams providing free rides around the grounds. Sheepdogs will show their skill at herding and a skilled shearer will show how the wool is removed from the animal, as well as blacksmiths, archers, fly fishers, and more.

“We really hope the community at large will come out to support these young people, as well as the veteran competitors that will put on a fantastic show for everyone,” Morton says. “This might be a celebration based in Scottish traditions, but it’s truly a community event that can appeal to everyone, at any age.”

The Highland Games mark another milestone for The Hub City by hosting the Canadian Scottish Athletic Federation Junoir Championship.

Bryan MacLean, the games’ athletic director says he doesn’t know of any other Highland Games that have put forward a field of both men’s and women’s junior athletes.

“The growth in the sport is phenomenal to see. Having had the World Masters here in 2022 certainly helped showcase the power of women in this sport, as well as having so many strong athlete role models on the East Coast. It’s a natural progression and a great honour to host this event.”

One of those role models is Kaitlyn Clark, who began her Highland Games career in 2017 and was the first female athlete to receive the Greater Moncton Highland Games’ Champion of the Day award for Scottish Heavy Events in 2021. She has competed throughout Canada, judged at the Worlds in Moncton in 2022, and is a four-time CSAF Women’s National Championship athlete. Clark will be this year’s Honourary Chieftain.

The festival kicks off Tuesday, June 11, with opening Ceremonies in Moncton’s Victoria Park, with the main events happening Saturday at the Hal Betts Sportsplex.