It'll be a Test of Metal like no other this year as hundreds of pipe band players blend with hundreds of racers to create a uniquely Squamish event.
On Saturday, June 19, Squamish residents eager for some gruelling mountain bike racing action will get an added treat as the Black Tusk Caledonia Pipe Band hosts the B.C. Legion Annual Highland Gathering on the same day.
The Black Tusk Caledonia Pipe Band routinely attends the annual gathering, but it's the first time Squamish gets to host the event since its inception in 1961.
Both the Test of Metal and the Highlands Gathering traditionally take place during the third weekend in June, so organizers of both events have teamed up to create an unforgettable day.
At 8:45 a.m. on June 19, Luc LeBlanc, pipe player of 27 years and Major Officer of the Black Tusk Caledonia Pipe Band, will lead a parade featuring approximately 12 bands, totalling about 200 members from throughout B.C.
The bands will officially open both the Test of Metal and the Annual Highland Gathering at 11 a.m. at Brennan Park Leisure Centre.
"As soon as the starting gun goes off for the Test of Metal contestants, the 200-man pipe band will start to play Scotland the Brave until all of the contestants go," said LeBlanc.
The event features five field events presented by the Pacific Northwest Scottish Association. Some of the events include Caber toss, where participants throw a log as far as they can, and Sheaf toss, which involves throwing a hay bale over a high-jump bar.
And what's a Highlands gathering without a wide range of musical competitions?
"We'll have individual competitions and we'll have trios and drum section competitions," said LeBlanc. "Then finally pipe band competitions in the program."
And there's no need to leave when folks get hungry or thirsty since the event will include a full concession and a beer garden.
"We are staying as local as we can, the Howe Sound Brewing Company will be the only beverage offered on the field," said LeBlanc.
The day's events will be followed by an awards banquet, and there will likely be a number of supporters in attendance, said LeBlanc.
"When Squamish goes to another town, we have the most number of supporters that join us. We honestly believe that because we're hosting in Squamish, we'll have lots of supporters that will be at the banquet," says LeBlanc.
The Black Tusk Caledonia pipe band is a multiple-award-winning group based in Squamish with a history dating back to 1979.
The band plays a selection of traditional Scottish music, and music from Canada and the United States. LeBlanc said the band has been fortunate to have composers in its ranks for the past 20 years.
He said he looks forward to leading such a large group through the streets of Squamish, his hometown.
But an event this size needs a lot of volunteers and more sponsors, said LeBlanc.
Anyone interested in either sponsoring the event or volunteering can contact him at [email protected]. For more information about the Black Tusk Caledonia Pipe Band, their website is www.squamishpipeband.ca.
