Giant pumpkins were weighed, horses were raced, ribs were devoured, pipes were squeezed, and more than a few cabers were tossed during the Livestock Breeders Association of the District of Beauharnois’ (LBA) fall festival and its first-ever Highland Games.
“It definitely surpassed our expectations,” says LBA manager Sue Morison, who estimates around 6,000 people took part in the three-day festival that featured a wide slate of activities. “I have only heard positive comments on every aspect of it, whether it was a participant, a visitor, or food vendors. Everybody wants to come back and do it again next year,” she says.
The spectacular weather helped to bring out crowds, who watched a new giant pumpkin king crowned in Steve Young during the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth weigh off on September 21. Local grower Harley Sproule danced a small jig after his 1,000-pound-plus squash tipped the scales.
Shortly after, horse hooves began pounding the track as the Circuit regional des courses de chevaux du Québec began its program of races. This was followed by the rumble of lawnmowers as the Club tracteur à gazon Québec gave fans an exciting evening of contests.
Six bagpipe bands, including the Valley’s own Elgin and District Pipes and Drums, opened the first edition of the LBA Highland Games the following day. There was a whole lot of tartan and a lot of knees showing as quite a few visitors came dressed for the event. The games featured five contenders, including two professional athletes who compete on the world stage and three Canadian national amateurs, who took part in the traditional throwing events. Fans were particularly impressed with the caber toss, which involved skillfully throwing an approximately 17-foot-long log into the air.
The games were followed by a bagpipe presentation in the arena, featuring all six pipe bands as well as performances by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society and the Montreal Highland Dancing Association. Fiddlers made sure those outside enjoyed plenty of live music as well.
Throughout the weekend, visitors were able to nosh on fall-off-the-bone ribs while enjoying live music, activities for children, and the opening of local artist Alyson Champ’s art installation Étalement/Sprawl, which converted the new dining hall on the grounds into a gallery.
“It was very humbling to see so many people come out. There were no rides. There was no demolition derby, no tractor pulls, and no animals. They came for the culture and the experience, and it was very nice,” says Morison, who admits there were a lot of key players and volunteers who helped ensure the event was a success.
“I think we have touched on something very big here,” Morison adds, noting there is plenty of opportunity to grow the festival even more.