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 weekend, now three days long, 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 Sarah Bryan, 14.
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.
The Arbutus middle school student finished in the top six in Canada and in the top five in international competition last year.
She won her first championship at age nine and has been consistently in the top 10 in her age group since.
“She’s a very driven child,” says her mom Triena. “She’s the same in school. She’s starting to pick up the chanter, plays violin, flute, field hockey – she gives everything 100 per cent effort.”
The teen has set herself a goal to dance at the World competition in Scotland one day. “You meet a lot of new friends and really nice people and you get to accomplish things you didn’t know you could do,” says the talented youngster.
For a full list of events and entertainment go to victoriahighlandgames.com.