Bang On The Ear (BOTE) is a high-energy Celtic folk rock band from Glengarry County, Ontario, formed in 2006 by husband-and-wife duo Bradley and Michelle McMillan. Blending traditional Scottish and Irish influences with the signature Glengarry sound, the band proudly celebrates the region’s rich Celtic heritage.With 5 studio albums, 1 live album, over 150,000 streams, and more than 700 live shows, BOTE has performed at festivals and events across Eastern Canada, including the Glengarry Highland Games, PEI Shellfish Festival, and Canada’s Irish Festival. Known for their upbeat kitchen-party style, they’ve shared the stage with artists like Jimmy Rankin, Ashley MacIsaac, The Mahones, and The Trews. Their upbeat kitchen party style of Celtic Folk Rock keep patrons singing and dancing all night long.

Bob Burnie has been entertaining the people of Glengarry and the surrounding area for years, with various groups, notably Bob & Ducky. His renditions of old and new Celtic music have contributed to his popularity which has passed the test of time. This year, Bob will be joined by some friends to bring some of Glengarry's Celtic favourites to life. Bob's goal is always to please his loyal fans while having fun. It is a goal that is always and easily met with success.

Brandy 'N' Port has been a main stay in the Eastern Ontario Celtic music scene for several years now. Their longevity & success, with many performances at pubs, festivals and private events in both Canada and the USA, can be attributed to consistently providing energetic and quality performances year after year. While always sticking to their Celtic roots, Brandy 'N' Port can always provide versatile & original arrangements to many different music styles. Their latest CD "Kiss Me I'm Irish", is the bands' most successful CD to date and by no coincidence, is very much what you would hear in an onstage performance. Brandy 'N' Port is made up of, Alec Long from Derry, Ireland on Drums & Vocals. Richard Linke from Vankleek Hill, Ontario on Lead Guitar, Flute, Whistle & Vocals. Grant Tomkinson from Westmeath, Ontario on Bass Guitar & Vocals and Danny Byrne from Ottawa, Ontario on Guitar, Banjo & Vocals.

Brandy 'N' Port is extremely proud of their affiliation with The Glengarry Highland Games and feel grateful to be invited to play "the Games" year after year.

From Glengarry County, The Ceilidh Drovers are a high-energy ensemble that performs a dynamic blend of traditional and modern Pop-Folk, East Coast, Irish and Scottish Celtic music. 

The Ceilidh Drovers consists of Brian Caddell on guitar, drums and vocals, Elizabeth Caddell on keyboard and vocals, Andrea DeCoeur on vocals, Lee MacKinnon on guitar, drums, harmonica and vocals and Ashley Flipsen on fiddle.

The County Lads were formed in 2015 by brothers Alec (lead vocals and guitar) and Hamish (fiddle) McDonald, where they began playing their take on everything from Celtic to Country music in the SD&G Counties. Quickly adding two close friends, Nolan Laframboise (bass) and Joah Vaillancourt (drums, the band was complete, and their sound was unforgettable. Throughout the years, these young lads have had the chance of sharing their tight harmonies and energetic performance all over Eastern Canada from the East Coast to Toronto, From Landsdowne Park on New Year’s Eve to Sudbury. While always remembering their small town roots, The County Lads continue to write and perform their music for everyone to enjoy.

The ‘Empties’ were formed one late night at the Alexandria Curling Club back in the winter of 2004. Mark Hall pulled out his guitar, started playing, and Paul Villeneuve began singing…and that was the beginning of a friendship that soon developed into Glengarry’s very own Fridge Full of Empties. Of course accordion virtuoso Nelson MacPherson was there from the very beginning.

With his incredible talent and calm demeanor, Nelson’s wealth of experience on stage was a perfect fit for this trio. Over the years many talented musicians have shared the stage with ‘The Fridge’; today Andrew Munro and fiddle player extraordinaire Kelsey Duval round out the band.

Although they have played countless venues all over this great country, nothing pleases them more to entertain in ‘Glengarry Our Home’!!

Based in Maxville the Glengarry Girls Choir provides a welcoming environment where young singers can develop a love for Scottish-Canadian music and tradition. Over the last two decades we have sung at various events throughout Glengarry and beyond, including our favourite, The Glengarry Highland Games! 

Hadrian’s Wall is a Canadian Celtic band from Glengarry County, Ontario, touring throughout Canada and the United States since 1995.

Led by singer-songwriter Neil Emberg and acclaimed fiddler Ashley MacLeod-McRae, the band combines powerful vocals, soaring fiddle, and original songs inspired by Scottish, Irish, and Canadian traditions. For this year’s Glengarry Highland Games, they are joined by longtime collaborators Neil Anderson (Highland & Uilleann pipes, whistles) and Terry O’Farrell (bass, keyboards, vocals), recreating a lineup that has appeared together at major Celtic festivals across North America, including multiple performances at the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival in Colorado.

Over more than three decades, Hadrian’s Wall has released more than ten recordings, sold over 45,000 albums, surpassed one million lifetime streams, and performed at many of North America’s leading Highland Games and Celtic festivals. Returning to the Glengarry Highland Games is especially meaningful, as the band’s roots are firmly planted in Glengarry County and its rich musical tradition.

Hestiaa is a fiery Montreal-based duo, comprised of Rachel Campbell on fiddle/harp and Brenna Logan on guitar. Inspired by their celtic and eastern Canadian roots, these two women produce a versatile fusion of traditional and modern music as well as original music. They are joined by irish fiddler Ella Partington for a series of collaborative shows. With three voices, double fiddles and harp, their sound is comparable to artists like Solas, Siobhan Miller and Natalie Macmaster.

John Young is a gifted and passionate singer who vacillates easily between his baritone and tenor range with a warm and inviting voice. He is a staple performer with the Handel’s Messiah at the National Arts Centre and has graced the stage as a soloist and in a number of musical theatre productions. John first tasted haggis in 2001 when he moved to Ottawa, a conversion experience which ignited his interest in his heritage and Scottish traditions. No stranger to challenges, John used the pandemic to learn songs based on the poetry of Robert Burns, opening a new door to share his love for singing. 

Dr. James Wright is a Full Professor of Music at Carleton University. A prolific composer whose music reflects his lifelong passion for dance, he was named University of Toronto Louis Applebaum Distinguished Visiting Professor of Composition in 2019. His chamber art song cycle Letters to the Immortal Beloved has been performed on five continents, and recorded by the Gryphon Trio with soloists Julie Nesrallah and David John Pike. His recent String Quartet No. 1 was described by CBC Music as “one of the year's best discoveries” for 2022. He is descended from the Clan Campbell of Argyll on his mother’s side, and Scottish music and culture have always been a source of pride and inspiration for him. 

JUNO Award nominees Rum Ragged bring a bold, exhilarating sound to the Tattoo stage –rooted in the folk traditions of Newfoundland and delivered with a fresh, contemporary edge. Armed with bouzouki, fiddle, bodhrán, banjo, guitar, and button accordion, this powerhouse group blends honest swagger, striking vocal harmonies, and masterful musicianship with storytelling that is thoughtful, humorous, and deeply authentic. Celebrated for unforgettable live performances and acclaimed recordings, Rum Ragged are not your run-of-the-mill folk band –they are the genuine article, and a perfect fit for one of the Glengarry Highland Games’ most iconic evenings.

Hailing from the nearby village of St-Isidore, Ontario, Sabrina learned piano and singing under local instructor Gabrielle Nadeau Campbell. She then pursued studies in classical music at the University of Ottawa where she trained as a soprano. Now living in Toronto, she loves coming home to offer touching renditions of Celtic melodies with her soft yet powerful voice. 

Sixmilecross consists of Darrel MacLeod of fiddle, mandolin, bodhran, tin whistle and lead vocal; Jim McRae on guitar and vocals; Martin Gaudet on bass, fiddle, mandolin and vocals and Dave McCormick on percussion, guitar, bass and vocals. 

In addition to local performances in Ottawa, Montreal, Kingston, Toronto and Glengarry County, they have toured with the MacCulloch Dancers in Mexico, Belgium, Bulgaria, The Netherlands, Russia and Hungary. 

They were first established in 1992 as McCormick & MacLeod and in 2000 formed Sixmilecross with the addition of Martin and later Jim. 

Stewarts Glen brings Glengarry’s Celtic spirit to life with driving rhythms, familiar melodies, and the kind of energy that pulls a crowd in from the very first note. Led by Celtic veteran Paddy Kelly and joined by Noel Campbell, Alastair Love, and Danny Leroux, the group blends stirring ballads with upbeat Celtic and Canadian favourites, powered by accordion, piano, fiddle, guitar, bass, and rich vocals. Rooted in tradition yet alive with momentum, Stewarts Glen delivers music meant to be shared, songs to tap your feet to, sing along with, and remember.

Triple Distilled is a vibrant Celtic band rooted in the heart of Glengarry County. Featuring seasoned musicians Heather Flipsen, Jason Burns, and Chris Leroux, the trio brings traditional favourites and Celtic staples to life with energy and heart. With decades of performance experience between them, they’re sure to get your feet stomping, draw you into the music they love, and deliver a memorable experience every time they hit the stage.