PPBSO Spring Report

2026 Ontario Highland Games Season

Here we are on the brink of a new Summer season with the Hamilton Gathering only days away - followed by a string of competitions in succession.

PPBSO Membership and competition entries are up again this year so we’re looking forward to a busy season. Solo entries at Hamilton are double from last year and Georgetown solo entries are up over 50% from one of their best years last year.  Encouragingly, most of the increase in entries are in lower grades and younger members.

While entries at Highland Games continues to be healthy, please consider entering the Kingsville-Essex Highland Games, the games offer very competitive band travel expenses.  The entry deadline is June 6^th.

We are extremely excited that four juvenile bands are now competing this year with juvenile contests to held at Georgetown, Northumberland, Embro and Glengarry. 

I also have it on good authority that there’s a few more juvenile groups working at getting up and running for the 2027 season.  This bodes well for the future of our art – please take the time to support the juvenile bands on the field.

PPBSO Branches

Our branches have, once again, had an outstanding Winter season of indoor competitions, workshops and other events.

None of these competitions or events would take place without the huge efforts of the branch executive committees and volunteers. On behalf of the board and all our membership, I sincerely thank everyone that made our indoor season a success.

Youth Development

Young people are the future of our organization and we are seeing an increase in membership and participation in both solos and bands again this year.  We want to keep this momentum going.

The Ontario Youth Pipe Band is planning some fun activities this year so please get the word out to any young members that may be interested – link for information and sign-up HERE. It's open to any youth pipers and drummers.

There are plans to have a symposium in the Fall for any bands that have teaching programs to explore ways to continue this positive trend.  More to come on that.

Finally

I would like to thank our amazing volunteers, stewards and everyone that helps make our competitions run so successfully.

All the best to soloist and bands competing this season, we wish you all an enjoyable and safe Summer.

Malkie Bow, President

for the PPBSO Board of Directors