MAXVILLE, Ontario – The Maxville Sports Complex hosted the Glengarry Edition of the Great Canadian Kilt Skate on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2019.
Spearheaded by the Alexandria Legion with support from the Lancaster Legion and the townships of North and South Glengarry, the event had a turnout of over 150 people.
The Great Canadian Kilt Skate has been held in Montreal, Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, and in Glengarry. North Glengarry Economic Development Officer Tara Kirkpatrick estimated that the Glengarry event saw a larger turnout than in some of those bigger cities.
The event saw performances from the MacCulloch Dancers and the Quigley Pipeband. On site showing their support were the Air Cadets from units 379 and 253 as well as the Army Cadet unit from Vankleek Hill.
“There is a strong connection between the military and Scots,” said Kirkpatrick. “The municipality reached out to the legion for this event and they made natural partners.”
The event collected donations for the St. Vincent de Paul society food bank in Alexandria.
Kirkpatrick explained that it is important to support food banks, like St. Vincent de Paul year round.
“After Christmas, people are still very hungry, and there is a great need,” she said. “The organizers of this event wanted to draw attention to that at a time when food banks are in a great need of support.”
Air Cadet branch 379 promised to match the donations to the food bank.
North Glengarry Mayor Jamie MacDonald was on the ice in his kilt.
“This is a great way to celebrate our heritage in Glengarry,” said MacDonald.
