Just 1 hour away from the McIntosh Country Inn, Maxville is home to the famous Glengarry Highland Games and Maxville Fair
First established around 1869, Maxville grew rapidly when the Canadian Atlantic Railway planted a station in town in 1881. Maxville is named after many of the Scottish “Macs” living in the neighbourhood.
Maxville continues to be a cultural centre for Scottish traditions and puts on the Glengarry Highland Games, an event that draws in nearly 50,000 people each August long weekend for a three-day festival. Earning its spot as one of the largest Celtic events in North America, the Glengarry Highland Games is one of Ontario’s Top 100 Festivals.
Established in 1889, the Maxville Fair takes place in June. With that kind of history, you can bet this event has had time to get things right. Featuring talent shows, baby contests, livestock competition, vendors, rides, games, and more, this Fair has something for everyone.
For a town with a population of less than 1,000 people, Maxville sure knows how to bring in a crowd.
Glengarry Highland Games
A small group of local businessmen wanted to make sure their Scottish traditions would be passed down to the next generation. In 1948, they put on the first Glengarry Highland Games, an event that attracted 10,000 people in the first year and has since entertained close to a million visitors.
Join in the fun in Maxville and witness the games, music, dance, piping, fiddling, and other traditions. It’s an event you won’t forget.
Contests, Events, and Activities at the Glengarry Highland Games
Heavyweights
Many of the athletes competing in the heavyweight divisions have won prestigious titles for the sport around the world. This is an event not to be missed! Watch an impressive display of strength as the Amateurs, Open Pros., Women, and Masters’ divisions hurl stones, hammers, and cabers across the field.
Highland Dancing Competitions
Come take in the Highland Dancing competitions held over 2 days. You can witness some of the best dancers in the world compete during the World Champions, North American, Canadian and Ontario Champions, held at these very Games! Enjoy the bright colours of the tartans as the dancers leap and twirl and defy gravity in front of your very eyes.
Piobaireachd Contests
Piobaireachd is a Scottish word for the classical music of the Great Highland Bagpipe. Historically, it is the sound that mustered the clans to war, rejoiced in the victories and wept in terrible loss, and lamented the passing of great chiefs and heroes. In times of peace, pipers played drinking and love songs.
Visit the Piobaireachd Contests and hear piping like you’ve never heard before. Pipers will begin with a slow theme known as a “Ground” but will steadily find a melody more complicated and magnificent. Most pieces have a running time of 8 minutes, but some can last for 15 to 20 minutes!
Piping and Drumming
Enjoy the fuller sound of piping and drumming with a whole band of musicians decked out in proper highland dress. Judges will be judging on tone and tuning, expression, pitch, rhythm, execution, and the overall togetherness of the group. Stop by the competitions to hear non-stop foot-tapping music of Scotland.
Final Tattoo
The Glengarry Highland Games sure know how to end with a bang. The final Tattoo sure is a ceilidh to remember! Throughout the weekend, dancers have danced, fiddlers have fiddled, pipers have piped, but in the end they all come together in a massive, thrilling celebration.
Skydivers jump from planes holding flags of Scotland, USA, and Canada and deliver it to the main field while each national anthem is performed. Later, visitors can enjoy a performance with the Massed Bands, the MacCulloch Dancers, and fireworks! If you’re not Scottish, you’ll leave the Games wishing you were.
Other Events
Other events at the Highland Games includes various notable Entertainers, a Harp Workshop, a Kilt Run, Scottish fiddling, rugby, whisky tasting, and more. Discover the exciting activities for kids on the grounds. If you’re hungry, you’ll never have to look far to find delicious concessions.
Learn more about the Glengarry Highland Games at https://glengarryhighlandgames.com/
Maxville Fair
Presented by Kenyon Agriculture Society, the Maxville Fair has offered over 130 years of country fun and entertainment since it’s establishment in 1889. Come watch or participate in volleyball and football games and the Tug of War battle. See the Baby Contest and delight in the Donkey Show.
Discover the various exhibits and competitions for flowers, baking, quilting, crafts, antiques, photography, and much more, as well as the Children’s competitions in the arena. There’s also tons of fun and exciting activities for kids in the Education Tent.
To learn more, visit www.maxvillefair.ca.
