In 1951, four prominent men of Pugwash decided that a good way to raise some funds for the local hospital would be to host a Gathering of the Clans and include a Fisherman’s Regatta.
It was immediately very popular and grew into a large and successful festival which has been run by a multitude of volunteers over the decades. Funds have been raised for the hospital and countless other local organizations. Pugwash has celebrated Canada (Dominion) Day and hosted Gathering of the Clans, a Scottish cultural festival ever since. In recent years, the village population of 900 burgeons to up to 10,000 for the Gathering!
The main focus in the early years was the competitions for Highland dancing and then Highland pipe and drum bands.
There were also fishing boat races. In 1957 the Gathering of the Clans and Fisherman’s Regatta and was incorporated by an act by the Nova Scotia Legislature. The 2 km Grand Parade, circling the core of the village, started in 1960, which was also the year the Lenin Peace prize was presented to Cyrus Eaton.
Many of the activities of the day centre around Water Street, which runs along the east side of Pugwash Harbour and is closed to traffic for the day. Between Water Street and the harbour is Eaton Park which has a covered stage and is the focal area for the highland dancing, ceremonies and music.
Other events that have become part of the Gathering are the heavyweight Highland games, lobster dinners, vendor and information booths and a line up of music entertainment in Eaton Park that has included John Allan Cameron and Matt Minglewood and this year includes Dave MacIsaac and Sons of Maxwell.
The day-long celebrations start with a pancake breakfast at the brand new Pugwash Fire Hall starting at 7 a.m. At 8 a.m. the gates open, Highland dance competitions start at 8:30 a.m. and the Grand Parade starts at 10 a.m.
Bagpipers and drummers move on from the parade to their competitions held at the historic Thinkers Lodge at the end of Water Street. The heavyweight Highland Games are at the Cyrus Eaton Elementary School playgrounds. Meanwhile, the rides and stands on the midway next to the waterfront run all day.
Water Street is closed all day to accommodate the artisan and food vendors, the local community groups’ displays and demonstrations, and the children have their own special parade at 1 p.m. Antique tractors and engines and vintage vehicles will be on display at the northern end of Water Street.
The official opening ceremonies are at 2 p.m. on the Eaton Park stage with local and provincial dignitaries. This is followed by an afternoon and evening of music, culminating in Cumberland County’s largest Canada Day fireworks display.
Related festival events include the Kirking of the Tartan on June 27 at Westley St. Matthew’s United Church, a pre-teen dance at Cyrus Eaton Elementary school on June 29, and on July 3 a community yard sale starts at 8 a.m., the Psychic Fair starts at 10 a.m. and the lobster and ham supper at Westley St. Matthew’s runs from 4 to 6 p.m.
This is a gated, alcohol-free, family friendly event. There is something for everyone – dancers, musicians, athletes and shoppers. Local residents and visitors alike are invited to come and enjoy the day while also raising important funds for the hospital and other local organizations.