Festival Report – Saskatoon Folkfest – August 16-18

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Please enjoy the following report from Sharie Argue, FSA Scot, President, Clan MacKenzie Canada & Lieutenant to Cabarfeidh. Saskatchewan Commissioner and Clan Genealogist.

The 39th Annual Folkfest in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan was sunny and bright indoors, in spite of the heavy smoke of B.C. forest fires outside.

With the assistance of my husband Earle, the display was set up and taken down efficiently.  During the three days, which extended until midnight, he also managed the crowds at our display, while I talk to people about their specific interests in things Scottish and especially those with MacKenzie connections.  He directs people to the tartan samples, shows them how they are arranged so they can look for their clan tartans.  He shows them the MacKenzie castles on the big chart or the Findon tables on display.

The Scottish Pavilion entertainment was exceptionally good with many pipe bands, pop bands, singers, highland dancers, Scottish country dancers, even a ‘best legs in a kilt’ contest for the men in kilts!

The food as always was outstanding …..from Haggis to Sticky Toffee Pudding, there was something to whet every appetite.  The Scotch Tasting was a popular area as well!

While parents were watching the entertainment, the young ones were well entertained and cared for in the children’s area with so many great activities.

The Vendors were kept busy and our Clan MacKenzie Canada display was popular with those searching for their roots in Scotland.  We were kept busy looking up surnames in our big books, explaining about and recommending DNA testing, chatting with people about the Findon Tables, the Clan Castles, various tartans, even some good discussions about the early Fur Traders who came from Scotland and their Indigenous wives and how we look at our history from different perspectives at different times, and many other interesting, related topics which encouraged those in search of their roots to continue their longing for things Scottish and their search for their ancestors.

As a result we signed up ten new members who we welcome to the Clan MacKenzie Society in Canada.  Seven of those were residents of Saskatchewan, one was visiting from New Brunswick and two more were visitors from Alberta.  We even had visitors from Berlin, Germany and several other countries too.  It is always delightful to meet and chat with people from all walks of life who have a common thread to their interests….Scotland!

I ought to mention that many of our visitors are enthralled with things Scottish, but have no personal connections to Scotland what so ever!
But, they pour intently over the various items on display and ask many questions as well!

We very much look forward to another very successful Folkfest in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in August 2019 for their 40th year!