Kingsville Highland Games Return With Record Crowds at New Location
The Kingsville Highland Games made a triumphant return on Saturday, June 27, 2026, drawing large crowds to Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens after a one-year hiatus. The event, now operating as its own independent non-profit organization, exceeded the expectations of organizers and provided a significant boost to the local economy.
A Year Off to Regroup
Last year’s games were canceled due to a scheduling conflict with a competing event in Ohio. Games chairman and co-founder Doug Plumb said the time off was put to good use.
“We took a year off to regroup and look at things, reevaluate and get things right,” Plumb said. The decision to move the event to Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens proved to be a winning choice, with parking lots on all sides of the venue filled to capacity.
Three Pillars of Competition
Plumb described every aspect of the games as successful, pointing to the event’s three core pillars: dance, the heavies, and the pipes. Participants traveled from across Ontario and the United States to take part in the festivities.
The Heavies Draw Spectators
The heavy events featured traditional Scottish athletic competitions including the hammer throw, sheaf throw, stone throw, and log throw. Tug of war teams from Northern Ireland, Nova Scotia, and Iowa competed, drawing some of the largest crowds of the day.
Unexpected Crowd Favorites
While the tug-of-war events were a major draw, Plumb noted that participants also rushed to watch the sheep shearing demonstrations, which proved to be a surprising crowd favorite.
Full Day of Entertainment
Beyond the athletic competitions, the games offered a wide range of cultural activities and performances. Highland dancing, sheep herding, fife and drumming, and a mass band performance kept attendees entertained throughout the day. Clan villages provided a historical dimension, with participants such as Steve Ferguson, dressed as the Laird of Belledmond who was involved in the 1745 Jacobite rising under Bonnie Prince Charlie, and Cameron McKay, who appeared as a “Ghillie” as part of the Jacobite village display.
Local politicians also got in on the fun, taking part in the famous haggis toss. Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue won the competition this year.
Economic Boost for Kingsville
Kingsville Mayor Dennis Rogers emphasized the importance of the Highland Games to the local economy. “People from all over the world come to our area to celebrate the Scottish Games,” Rogers said. “It’s a great driver for our businesses and right now… businesses need it more than ever.”
The games are part of a broader tourism initiative by the town. In 2024, Kingsville entered into a two-year partnership with SK Cornerstone, a Kingsville-based trucking company, to decorate a transportation trailer with the message “VisitKingsville OntarioCa” to promote the region.
Looking Ahead to Next Year
Given the overwhelming success of this year’s event, organizers are already considering expanding the games. Plumb said they are exploring the possibility of holding the Highland Games over two days in 2026 to accommodate growing interest and demand.
