Highland Village August Event Line-Up
Nova Scotians and visitors from around the world can experience Gaelic culture at various events happening in August at Highland Village Museum in Iona, Victoria Co. The outdoor living history museum offers a unique opportunity to explore period buildings along with a breathtaking view of the Bras d'Or Lakes.
Highland Village is kicking-off the month, with the annual Highland Village Day concert, Aug. 1. The outdoor concert features fiddlers, step-dancers, pipers, highland dancers and local musicians, including the Boisdale Trio and special guests J.P. Cormier and Hilda Chiasson Cormier. The concert will be from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $10 per person with children under 12 admitted free. In the case of rain, the concert will take place indoors.
The Làithean Sona/Happy Days program will continue every Wednesday in August from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Children ages eight to 12 are provided costumes to live for a day in the life of Gaels with traditional chores, crafts, games, language, and songs. The cost is $30 per child. Reservations are required.
Na Deugairean/Living History for Youth is a program offered to teens ages 13-17. Young people will participate in various activities of young Gaels. Na Deugairean is offered Aug. 6, and Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $30 per person. Prepaid reservations are required.
Every Friday in August, children are invited to take part in Spòrs, a morning of interactive games that focus on many aspects of Gaelic heritage. The games help children learn basic Gaelic vocabulary and phrases. Spòrs is for children ages five-10, and takes place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Admission is free.
On Aug. 11, Highland Village will be hosting Musique Royale Concert featuring Ensemble Polaris. It will be an evening of innovative tunes from Scandinavia and the Baltic countries. The name, Not Much Worse Than a Troll, the title of their second album. Polaris concerts feature haunting ballads, rollicking dance tunes, tender lullabies, and nonsense songs that appeal to music lovers of all ages. The concert starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets are available at the door, or in the Highland Village Gift Shop.
The second Candlelight Tour of the summer will be on Aug. 12. It will be an intimate evening featuring a storytelling tour of the living history museum. The tour will take place under a Cape Breton sunset overlooking the Bras d'Or Lakes. The tour runs from 7-9 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for students, and $28 for a family. Prepaid reservations are required.
Finishing-off the month is the delicious Codfish Supper, Aug. 22. Guests can satisfy their taste buds with a feed of salt cod, potatoes and all the trimmings of a traditional Cape Breton salt cod supper. There will also be hot dogs available upon request. The supper is from 3-6 p.m. in the Tuning Room. Admission is $15 for adults, $8 for a children's plate, and $2 for a hot dog. Admission includes a tour of the village.
The Highland Village Museum and gift shop are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For information or to register for any of the events call 902-725-2272, or e-mail highlandvillage@gov.ns.ca .