List of Events

Scotland Sings Cabaret & Celtic Buffet

      The Greater Sudbury Celtic Festival and Highland Games is pleased to welcome Scotland Sings back to Sudbury on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at Grumbler's English Pub. The show will begin at 7pm and a light Celtic Buffet will be served. Scotland Sings is touring directly from Scotland and will feature Davy Holt one of Scotland's top Celtic Guitarist who is in high demand during the tourist season. Davy will be joined by Grant Frazer who is a historian, singer, and story teller. Don't miss this great Celtic Cabaret and Buffet. Don't delay, buy your tickets today for $25.00 at Grumblers English Pub on Regent Street. Please call 918-2601 or email sudburycelticfestival@gmail.com with any questions. (view poster)

Highland Dance Competition

      New this year the Greater Sudbury Celtic Festival and Highland Games will be hosting a ScotDance Competition on Saturday, May 23, 2009. Dancers will compete in Sword, Fling, Sean Triubas, Flora and Irish Jig. Registration is at 9:00am and competition begins at 9:30am. Additional details are available on the Highland Dancing page.

Heavy Games

      A tradition of Clan versus Clan that dates back to 1574. The first Heavy Games event in Canada was held in Antigonish Nova Scotia in 1863. Vale Inco presents professional male and female athletes from the Canadian Federation of Scottish Athletes who will take part in Caber Toss, Stone Throw, Sheft Toss, Hammer throw exhibitions and more. There just might even be a local media challenge! Stay tuned for more info on this one!

Massed Pipes and Drums

      The tradition continues as Senior Drum Major Steve Harrison from Highland Creek Pipe Band returns to Sudbury to lead the pop and pageantry of the Massed Pipes and Drums during the opening and closing ceremonies. Participating in the massed pipes and drums are the 400 Squadron Pipe Band, Ontario Fire College Pipe Band, Haileybury Highlanders, Innisfil Pipes and Drums, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 23 Pipes and Drums, and Laurentian University Pipe Band. Each band will also perform a set on stage for you to enjoy.

Evening Concerts

      The festival kicks off Friday, May 22 at 7pm with an evening of Scottish folklore celebrating the 250th anniversary of Robbie Burns featuring Ecosse, Juno nominee David Leask, The Greater Sudbury Firefighter’s Choir with Jeff Wiseman and the Laurentian University Pipe Band. Four of the National Capital Region’s favourite musicians; Bobby Watt, James Stephens, Duncan Gilles and Rob Graves form Ecosse. Their combination of vocals, highland bagpipes, flute, guitar and drums create a decidedly exotic flavour to the Celtic and Québécois influences of the band. Stirring songs and melodies, exciting and very danceable tune sets, and a very highly defined sense of joie de vivre are what you can expect at an Écosse concert.
     


      The festival will conclude with a huge party beginning at 7pm Saturday evening celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Irish Heritage Club of Sudbury featuring Flipper Flanagan’s Flat Footed Four from Thunder Bay who will joined by Caber Toss, Sudbury’s Cameron’s Ceildh featuring Sudbury's own Leo Cameron a former Paddy's Patriot and the Irish Heritage Club of Sudbury Youth Dancers. Born out of the folk music scene of the 1960’s, Flipper Flanagan embraced Celtic and Bluegrass music. The varied talents of the four flat footed friends allowed them to draw on the progressive influences of several other musical genres with a resulting brew best described as Progressive Pub Music. The band is well known for its irreverent sense of humour and high energy performance. The band has performed with Fred Eaglesmith, the Arrogant Worms and the Irish Rovers.
     

Festival Pub and Grub

      No Celtic festival would be complete without a couple pints on a summer's day. Grumbler's Festival Pub will have a variety of Scottish, Irish, and Canadian Beers on tap, a couple "nippy sweeties" and some Tullamore Dew for the Irish Folk. Wash it down with some Guinness Stew and Bangers and Mash. There will also be an assortment of favorites served up by The Perogy Princess, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Lorne Scot Sausage and maybe some Haggis. Enjoy a glass of Grandma's freshly squeezed lemonade, a funnel cake, an ice cream sundae and other sweet treats.

Vendors

      From Scottish and Irish Jewelry and Gifts, Children's Books, Novelties and festival merchandise, there will be lots to take home from this year's festival. So bring some extra cash to support our traditional vendors who you may only get to see here once a year!

Children & Families

      Lots of fun, interesting and interactive events that the whole family can participate in. This year don't miss Cindy Cook and BEAR from Polka Dot Door on the amphitheatre stage , Canada's Birds of Prey/Canadian Raptor Conservancy, and Papa's Kidz Trains