Record entries for North American Championships

A record number of bands and soloists have entered for the North American Championships to be held at the tiny town of Maxville, Ontario, July 30-31.

Seventy-two bands across all grades will take part in Saturday’s contests, and 282 pipers and drummers will compete in the solo events spread over both days. Both are thought to be records.

While band entries have set a record, the number of bands competing in Grade 1 and Grade 2 is slightly down. Only four bands will compete in Grade 1, and the 78th Highlanders (Halifax), the 2003 North American Champions, are not expected to attend due to financial challenges. The Grade 2 contest, with 11 bands entered, will again be one of the most closely-contested events.

The Glengarry Highland Games have grown to be the world’s largest in terms of the number of combined piping and drumming competitors and events. Gate attendance at the event has also ballooned, and paying customers are thought to number well over 60,000 over the two days.

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