Members of the South Glengarry Pipe Band led the way for the Clan Parade at the 2022 GHG. Thompson Goddard Photo

MAXVILLE – The pipes were calling people to the 2022 Glengarry Highland Games and thousands upon thousands answered the call heading to the fairgrounds in Maxville on July 29 and 30. The Glengarry Highland Games began in 1948 and have been held annually since then, except for 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s one of the largest Scottish celebrations in North America,” noted a July 17 Games Committee press release.

There was something for everyone, with competitions in highland dancing, drumming, heavyweight sports such as caber tossing and of course several bagpipe individual and band competitions; it is “the home of the North American Pipe Band Championship.”

Throughout the day, the sounds of the bagpipe filtered through the air as people enjoyed a bite to eat from food vendors or look over the wares available from onsite vendors. The Clans Buildings allowed members of different clans to provide visitors with information on the various Scottish clans. On Saturday, led by the South Glengarry Pipe Band, members of several clans participated in the Clans Parade; Michael Yellowlees, who walked across Canada raising money for “Trees for Life” a Scottish Charity working to restore a forest in the Scottish Highland.

Visitors were able to enjoy several entertainment events during the games, including Celtic musicians performing, the Tattoo on Friday night and the Massed Bands in the late afternoon on Saturday. There were harp and fiddling demonstrations as well as the opportunity to socialize with friends old and new.  As the 2022 Glengarry Highland Games ended, people will surely answer yes to the question, “Will Ye No Come Back Again?”