2014 Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival May 29 - June 1
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WINGHAM will be at the very heart of all things Scottish this weekend.
Three days of tartan, bagpipes and dancing are planned for the tenth Bonnie Wingham Scottish Festival.
2014 marks the 700 year anniversary of Robert the Bruce's famous victory in the battle of Bannockburn.
The fun starts on Friday and runs through to Sunday. The free event draws crowds from far and wide, an opportunity for Scottish descendants to celebrate their heritage and for non-Scots to experience a different culture.
On Saturday there will be a street parade and a full day of activities in Central Park.
Light horsemen and mounted police will lead the parade with six pipe bands and around 20 clans marching behind their respective banners.
The clans then set up booths in the park for visitors to discuss their heritage.
From humble beginnings of just 15 stalls in its inaugural year, this year's festival has more than 60 market stalls booked. Some of these stalls will be selling an interesting range of Scottish-themed items.
With highland games, pipe bands, highland dancing and medieval warriors on offer thousands of people are expected to attend the celebrations in Central Park on Saturday.
Related articles: CWA Shortbread Competition Bonnie Wingham to stay in Wingham World class pipes
Thursday May 29
2pm Donna's Junior Shortbread School (Bent on Food, 95 Isabella Street)
Friday May 30
7.30am Braveheart Poets Breakfast (Anglican Church Hall)
10am District Bus Tour (Wingham Historical Museum)
10.30am CWA Shortbread Baking Competition (Judging at CWA Rooms, Isabella Street)
Judging of shop window displays (town centre)
Noon Nine hole Clash of the Clans mixed Golf Tournament (Wingham Golf Course)
Noon Mixed Single Entry Social Bowls (Wingham Bowling Club)
5.30pm Mayoral Reception (Wingham Library)
7pm Scots Night Out (Wingham Services Club)
Saturday May 31
9am Market and Clan stalls open (Central Park)
9.30am Street Parade starts (Cnr of Isabella and Wynter Streets - Wingham Brush Public School)
9.50am Opening Ceremony including massed pipes and drums
10.15am Highland Dancer, Meredith Long, championship dancer from Newcastle
10.30am Medieval Fighting Display by 'The Guild' from the Central Coast
10.50am Women's Caber Toss
10.55am NSW Highlanders Pipe Band
11.15 Wingham Services Club Pipes and Drums Band
11.30am Men's Caber Toss
11.35am City of Newcastle RSL Pipe Band
12.25pm Wingham Brush School Dancers, presented by Elma See
1.05pm Women's Tug-o-War
1.25pm Royal Australian Army Transport Pipes and Drums Band
1.50pm Men's Tug-o-War
1.50pm Tamworth and District Pipes and Drums Band
2.10pm Children's Tug-o-War
2.30pm Medieval Fighting Display by 'The Guild' from the Central Coast
2.50pm United Miners Federation Pipe Band
3.10pm Children's Kilted Dash
3.30pm Closing Ceremony, including massed pipes and drums
Please note program subject to change.
Sunday June 1
7.30am Lay led Thanksgiving Service and Blessing of the Banners (River Reserve)
8am Barbecue Breakfast (River Reserve)
10am Colloquium of Clan and Celtic leaders (Tellers Restaurant)
Noon Bannockburn Lunch includes a presentation on the battle and Scottish musical items by local performers.