The 78th Frasers continued their consistent run of form by taking the Grade 1 Medley contest at the Kincardine Scottish Festival on Saturday, July 4, 2015. Peel Regional Police were second on the strength of two first place rankings in piping, with Toronto Police taking the final spot. The victory allowed the Frasers to take a 4 point lead atop the Champions Supreme Grade 1 rankings for the year with 14 points, with Toronto Police currently in second on 8 points.
This season’s string of good weather continued as the games were held under sunny skies on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron. The townspeople of Kincardine again proved to be superb hosts, as they opened up their town and their homes to the competing pipe bands.
The Grade 2 MSR contest saw three bands competing for top spot, with Greater Midwest pipe band from the US taking first across the board to claim the title. Paris/Port Dover finished in second, with Great Lakes Pipe Band rounding out the results.
In what may have been the crowd’s favourite contest of the day, George Watson’s College juvenile band from Edinburgh, Scotland tendered a superb performance that would likely have claimed a prize in a higher grade to take four first place rankings in winning the Grade 3 MSR event. The crowd greeted the band with an appreciative round of applause, and were rewarded with a fine display of musicianship, both in the circle and in the refreshment tent afterwards. George Watson’s are regular visitors to Ontario, generally alternating their appearances between Embro/Kincardine and the Glengarry Highland Games, in Maxville, Ontario. They are always welcome here, and we look forward to their next visit. Rounding out the prizes in Grade 3 were Windsor Police in second, followed by Toronto Police in third.
Guelph Pipe Band took the honours in the Grade 4 Medley for the second week in a row, finishing comfortably ahead of Grand Celtic in second, and Paris/Port Dover in third.
In the Grade 5 March Medley event, Barrie Pipes and Drums continued their fine form with a dominant win over second place White Heather Pipes & Drums, and third place Durham Regional Police. As has been the trend in recent years, the standard of play at the Grade 5 level is getting better and better, a terrific sign of things to come in Ontario!
Ian K MacDonald was the professional piper of the day, with Zack Miller taking the same honours in drumming. In the Amateur class, Mike Allegretti took top spot, while Mackenzie Chamberlain broke through to take the drumming prize.