Community
5 Things You Should Know About the 72nd Red Deer Highland Games
By Jock Mackenzie
1. The Highland Games is the Highland Games. It involves competitions and displays of highland dancing (including the highland fling, the sword dance, the seann triubhas, strathspey and reel, pas de basque and highcuts, Flora MacDonald’s Fancy, Scottish lilt, Irish Jig, ½ Tulloch), piping and drumming (individuals and bands), and heavy events (including Hammer, Weight for Distance, Putting the Stone, Sheaf Toss, Weight Over Bar, Caber Toss).
2. The Highland Games is much more than the Highland Games. Some might suggest this event be called a “festival” but it’s been the Red Deer Highland Games for 71 years before this and tradition needs to be recognized. Extras include: The 78th Fraser Highlanders (living history demos all day with mock battles of musket and cannon firing), the Red Stags Battle Group (a LARP group – Live Action Role Playing) with real armor and high impact foam weapons), medieval spinning and weaving demonstrations, shortbread competition, sheep dog demonstrations, Scottish Country Dancers, the Entertainment Tent featuring the Celtic Jam Jars band, and vendor tents.
3. The 72nd Red Deer Highland Games is “kid friendly.” Clearly, there’s an absolutely full day for any adult (did I mention the Massed Band performance at the end of the day?). Especially for kids is a Children’s Play Area that runs all day long. At mid-day, the wee lads and lassies are invited to the Junior Heavy events: caber toss and putting the stone. Under close supervision of the adult athletes, the kids will be given cabers and stones made specifically for them.
4. The 72nd Red Deer Highland Games will be held on from 8:00 to 4:00 on Saturday, June 22 at the Westerner Grounds. Outdoor events will be held on the chuckwagon infield; indoor activities will be in the adjacent (and shiny and new) Ag Centre West. Admission includes parking: adult – $15, child/senior – $12, family (2/2 + program) – $45.
5. There isn’t a #5. Being truly Scottish, I’m thrifty. I’ll save more information for another day. Okay, one last thought: Have you ever tried a haggis burger?
Todayville Top 5 features the freelance writings of Jock Mackenzie.
Jock is an original Red Deerian! Educated at Lindsay Thurber and Red Deer College (with a stint at the U of A), he became an educator himself, spending 31 years with the Red Deer Public school system.
It’s safe to say Jock knows Red Deer about as well as anyone (OK.. maybe not Michael Dawe). As a confirmed life-long learner, Jock never tires of getting to know his surroundings even better. That’s where the Todayville Top 5 comes in. In each feature, Jock shares a few ingredients that go into the mix that makes this delicacy called Red Deer the place we want to call home. As a well organized person who knows you’re busy, he’s choosing just 5 juicy tidbits to share each time.
If you’d like to be featured by Jock Mackenzie on the Todayville Top 5, just contact us at [email protected].
L to R: Cindy Jefferies, Susan Knopp, Lane Tomalty, Bre Fitzpatrick
Photo credit: The SnapHappy Photographer
After a decade of leadership under Cindy Jefferies and Susan Knopp, 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer (100+ WWCRD) is proud to celebrate 10 years of supporting local charities and the announcement of Bre Fitzpatrick and Lane Tomalty as its new co-leaders. This marks an exciting new chapter for the group, which has made a significant impact on not-for-profit organizations in Central Alberta.
Cindy and Susan have led 100+ WWCRD with vision, dedication, and a commitment to empowering women to lead and inspire change. Under their stewardship, the organization has raised over $630,000 for local charities by hosting 4 annual 1-hour meetings. Since 2015, more than 36 local charities have received funding through the group.
Reflecting on their tenure, Cindy and Susan stated:
“Leading 100 Women has been an honour and a privilege. When we began this journey, we didn’t know where it would go – we simply loved the simple, elegant, and fun ‘100 Who Care’ concept and thought it was a great fit for our community. We are grateful to the many women who have stood with us. They are the magic of the organization! We are confident Bre and Lane will steward this leadership role well and we look forward to supporting it – just not from behind the microphone!”
Bre and Lane bring a dynamic energy and fresh perspective to the organization. Both have been involved with the group and have been mentored by Susan and Cindy over the past year. They are eager to continue the collaboration, connection, and local support this team of women have established in Red Deer.
In their joint statement, Bre and Lane shared:
“We are humbled to step into this role and build on the incredible foundation Cindy and Susan have laid. Many needs are at the doorstep of our community and in the hearts and minds of our members. We know a powerful, caring, and united group of individuals can play a huge role in driving change and breaking barriers.
To celebrate this milestone and leadership transition, the 100+ WWCRD hosted the final meeting of 2024 on November 25th at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. The evening featured reflections from Cindy and Susan, the selection of the Salvation Army as the charity of choice, an opportunity for members to connect with Bre and Lane as they outline their vision for the organization’s next chapter, and a toast to 10 years.
For more information, please visit www.100womenreddeer.ca
About 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer
100+ Women Who Care Red Deer is a network of compassionate, empowered, and dedicated women who make a direct, immediate, and positive impact in Red Deer and area. We support local non-profit and charitable organizations that work every day to make our community a better place to live. 100% of funds donated go to the selected charities – there are no
administration fees, and all costs are covered by the generosity of sponsors. Collectively, we make a difference.
The group meets 4 times annually for 1 hour. Non-profit and charitable organizations are nominated by members. After hearing 3 randomly drawn pitches, the members vote to select their top choice. The group with the highest number of votes receives the members’ donations. Each member or team commits to donating $100 at each meeting. Since 2015, the average raised has been more than $15,000 per meeting.
Membership is open to all women In Red Deer and area. We invite you to join us! The first meeting of 2025 will be on Monday, February 3, 2025.
Founded in February 2015, the organization currently has about 150 members. We are committed to uniting this powerful group of 100+ women who care and lifting the amazing non-profits and charitable groups they support.
Festival of Trees tickets are on sale now! Get ’em while they’re hot!
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