CARSTAIRS – Visitors and residents of all ages enjoyed warm late spring conditions for the sixth annual Carstairs Heritage Festival & Parade of Kilts on Sunday.
The event includes the ever-popular parade featuring marching bands, with the Battle River Pipes and Drums leading things off this year.
Other bands included the Stainte Social Club, St. Andrews-Caledonian Society of Calgary, The Pipes and Drums of Edmonton Transit System, Alberta Fire Scottish Pipes and Drums, and Calgary Police Service Pipe Band,
The Red Deer and District Pipe Band, Airdrie Scot’s Pipes and Drums, Cochrane Pipe Band, Calgary Centennial Legion #285 Pipe Band, Foothills Caledonia Youth Pipe Band also took part.
The bands matched in the parade and then performed throughout the afternoon in the Carstairs Memorial Park.
Other events at this year’s festival include Highland dance demonstrations, heavy athletics competition, clan booths, an art show, museum tours, food trucks, photos with event mascot Hamish, a petting zoo, face painting, a large kids zone, and various vendors.
Carstairs mayor Lance Colby commended the many volunteers, local businesses and service groups involved in this year’s festival.
“Thanks to all the pipers, dancers, athletes, artists and vendors who have come to help us celebrate the great traditions of Scotland,” he said.
This year’s festival was held in memory of Sharon Lampitt, a member of the Carstairs Heritage Festival since its inception.
“Her energy and enthusiasm was unmatched,” festival officials said. “She will truly be missed.”
One of the entries in the parade featured a large photo of Lampitt.
Festival partners at this year event including Town of Carstairs, Carstairs FCSS, Carstairs Elks, Carstairs Legion, Mountain View Football, HSS leadership team, Carstairs Ag Society, Carstairs Curling Club, Carstairs Museum, Carstairs Library, and IODE Dardanelles.
Many of Carstairs and area early settlers were of Scottish heritage.
