by IAIN BOYD.
The 157th Antigonish Highland Games were held on Saturday, July 9 and Sunday, July 10 under warm and sunny conditions. A large crowd attended both days following a two-year hiatus brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. Nine pipe bands competed for the Nova Scotia Pipe Band Championships on Saturday and for the Atlantic Canada Pipe Band Championships on Sunday.
The 78th Highlanders Halifax Citadel Pipe Band, the only Grade 1 entry, put on two very pleasing performances. There were over 40 solo competitors including an entry of seven open professional pipers who delivered strong performances.
Andrea Boyd from Ottawa, Ontario captured the Atlantic Canadian Piobaireachd Championship. Bruce Gandy from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia was awarded open piper of the games. Judges for the open piping were Michael Grey from Dundas, Ontario and Ann Gray from Calgary, Alberta. Andrea Boyd, Bruce Gandy, and Scott William were the other piping judges.
Sam Ramsay from Summerside, PEI was named open drummer of the games. Doug Stronach from Simcoe, Ontario judged the solo drumming and pipe band events.
Nova Scotia Pipe Band Championships – Saturday, July 9
First Prize
Grade 1 – 78th Highlanders Halifax Citadel Pipe Band
Grade 2 – No entries
Grade 3 – The College of Piping, Summerside, PEI
Grade 4 – Dartmouth and District
Grade 5 – The College of Piping Grade 5
Atlantic Canada Pipe Band Championships – Sunday, July 10
First Prize
Grade 1 – 78th Highlander Halifax Citadel Pipe Band
Grade 2 – No entries
Grade 3 – The College of Piping, Summerside, PEI
Grade 4 – Dartmouth and District
Grade 5 – The College of Piping Grade 5
Solo Piping and Drumming Awards
Professional Piping
Atlantic Canadian Open Professional Piobaireachd Champion – Andrea Boyd, Ottawa
Open Piper of the Games – Bruce Gandy, Dartmouth
Professional Drumming
Sam Ramsay, Summerside, PEI
Amateur Piping
Grade 1 Piping – Adam Tingskou, Fredericton, NB
Grade 2 Piping – Derek Reed, Arkansas, USA
Grade 3 Piping – Reilly Green, Fredericton, NB
Grade 4 Piping – Elina Richards, Halifax, NS
Grade 5 Piping – Ian Kelloch, Sydney, NS
Amateur Drumming
Grade 1 – Austin Trenholm, Summerside, PEI
Grade 2 – No entries
Grade 3 – Ceana Fleury, Fredericton, NS
Grade 4 – Vincent Gallant-Cote, Summerside, PE
