CENTRE WELLINGTON, Ont. – The Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games is thrilled to announce the opening of a special commemorative display, 80 Years of Scotland Without the Airfare, at the Wellington County Museum & Archives (WCMA).
The display showcases historical artifacts, photographs, and memorabilia that tell the story of how the Fergus Highland Games evolved from a local community event into an internationally recognized Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games. Visitors will discover how the Festival has preserved and promoted Scottish heritage while contributing significantly to the region's tourism and economic development over the past eight decades.
“The Fergus Scottish Festival extends its sincere thanks to the staff at the Wellington County Museum & Archives for their dedication to preserving local history, their careful work with the display’s historical items, and their support in bringing this milestone display to life,” commented Elizabeth Bender, Executive Director of the Fergus Scottish Festival. “The display is a wonderful addition to the Festival’s 80th Anniversary celebrations for this year.”
Exhibition Details:
Location: Archives Reading Room, WCMA
Dates: June through September 2025
Admission: By donation
"We're honoured to support the Fergus Scottish Festival in celebrating this remarkable milestone," said Kelly Dixon, Assistant Curator at WCMA. "Their 80-year legacy is an integral part of Wellington County's cultural story, and we're delighted to help share it with our visitors."
For the latest Festival updates and announcements, visit fergusscottishfestival.com, sign up for their newsletter, or follow the festival on social media.
About The Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games
Now in its 80th year, the Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games is one of Canada's premier Scottish celebrations with a mission to deliver a Festival dedicated to the preservation of the visual, musical, athletic and written heritage of Scotland and those Scottish people who made Upper Canada their home through a celebration of culture, history, competition and education.
The Festival gratefully acknowledges support from Canada Summer Jobs, the Province of Ontario, County of Wellington, Township of Centre Wellington, Regional Tourism Organization 4, and the Ontario Cultural Attractions Fund (a program of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming). Special thanks to Grand Sponsor Nexans, Tartan sponsors ADR Electrical Contracting, Sherwood Systems and Guelph Delta, Diamond sponsors H&R Machine, Hydralyte, Your Hometown Realty, Rowe Electric, Whysall Fireworks, EloraFergusToday, DeBoers Farm Equipment, and many other sponsors and partners.
About WCMA
WCMA tells the stories of the people and places of Wellington County. The museum is located on Wellington Road 18 between Fergus and Elora in the oldest remaining rural House of Industry and Refuge (or 'Poor House') in Canada.
Media Contacts:
Elizabeth Bender, Executive Director, Fergus Scottish Festival, 519.787.0099, ED@fergusscottishfestival.com
Kelly Dixon, Assistant Curator, Wellington County Museum and Archives, 519.846.0916 x5232, kellyd@wellington.ca