Scottish Festival proposes April Tartan Day parade

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Jamie Amundson appeared before council Monday morning to seek approval for the Scottish Festival to once again take over Elgin Park this summer, as well as to hold a Tartan Day parade in April.

Noting that it was 30 years ago that the Scottish Festival first came to Elgin Park (the Highland Games), Amundson said the festival would like to run the event July 24-25, with Scottish dancing, music and heavy games. Council approved the request in principle, but said some study needs to be done on another aspect of the festival request.

Co-presenter Marjorie Mason said the festival wants to celebrate Tartan Day with a mini-parade along Brock Street. Canada officially recognizes Tartan Day on April 6. Mason said the festival would like to hold a parade on April 12, adding that it would only run about 15 or 30 minutes.

However, Mayor Dave Barton said closing off Brock gets complicated because the region is involved, as would be the Durham Regional Police. He suggested the Tartan Day parade be held on local roads, not regional roads, possibly moving from Elgin Park to the Legion.