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Glenaladale Festival

Fèill Ghleann Aladail

A Grand Celebration of 250 Years of Scottish Settlers in Tracadie Bay, Prince Edward Island

Glenaladale Heritage Trust is celebrating its first generational anniversary as a non-profit and community run Estate! 250 years ago, on June 25th, 1772 Tracadie saw the arrival of more than 200 Scottish Catholic Highlanders aboard the brig, Alexander. Making landfall on Island shores under the leadership of Captain John MacDonald, Laird of Glenfinnan in Scotland, the Glenaladale Settlers have been a pivotal group in the Scottish diaspora across the Eastern Regions of Canada. Glenaladale Heritage Trust is working to regenerate the site as a community space and an essential destination where all Islanders and visitors alike can gather to feel at home.
We are commemorating this 250th Anniversary with the Glenaladale Festival, Fèill Ghleann Aladail in Gaelic, running from June 25th to July 3rd. Celebrating the Scottish cultural roots that connect many on the Island can reveal stories and ways of life that enrich our sense of belonging while also giving perspective within the diversity of communities on P.E.I. Animating the significant influence the Highland Scottish Settlers have had on our cultural and creative practices on Prince Edward Island, is central to the Glenaladale Festival. Touching base with our ancestors and that history of how our Scottish families came to the then known Epekwitk or Isle St. Jean in 1772, has us reflecting on the two and a half centuries since.

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Welcome to Glenaladale

Quick tips for our Festival

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Parking & Amenities

There are two main parking lots and both have accessibility designations for folks with mobility concerns. Accessible washrooms can be found at the School House.

Tickets & Food

Tickets will be available on site at the School House during the days for any festival events. There is limited capacity so we recommend booking in advance where possible. Food and beverages will be available on site for purchase.

Masks

People in Prince Edward Island are no longer required to wear masks in indoor public places or in workplaces where distancing cannot be maintained. Masks are still recommended in indoor public places. We suggest our visitors check out the P.E.I. Government recommendations and to continue to have a mask handy when physical distance cannot be maintained.

Mask Recommendations
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Glenaladale Festival Pass

Book your Festival Pass!

Enjoy the Glenaladale Estate and all the free daily programming for our
250th Celebrations!

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A National Treasure on a Small Island

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Live Music

Scottish Folk & Song

Gathering of the Clans

Find your History

Arts & Culture

From Looms to Bagpipes

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Our Program

Join Us

OUR PROGRAM IS STILL GROWING
STAY TUNED!

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June 25th - Saturday

Festival Day #1

11:00am - Opening Ceremony

1:00pm - Highland Games

1:30pm - Tour of Captain John's Old Mansion Site with Archaeologist Erin Montgomery

2:00pm - Piping Demo with The College of Piping

2:00 - 4:00pm - Painting Stones with Lee Ann Pelton, a Family friendly drop in workshop

2:30pm  - Beaconsfield Heritage Social Dance Group 

3:00pm - Daily Screening of ‘Saving Glenaladale’ Documentary 

4:30pm - Community Talks Series | Catherine MacDonald on 'Miss Nelly'

5:30pm Highland Games Finale & Results


Additional ticketed programming 

1:30pm, 3:00pm - Daily House Tours ($15)

7:30pm - Concert Series | The Barra MacNeils ($40) 

June 26th - Sunday

Festival Day #2

9:00am - Mass & Blessing of the Tartan | St. Bonaventure Church

10:00am - 'The Brunch' at The Tracadie Community Centre with The Lions Club

11:00am - 1:00pm - Highland Games Clinics with Professional Athletes 

11:30am - Through the Trails | Kids Programming trail walks

2:00 - 5:00pm - Talking Tartans Roadshow with Peter MacDonald 

3:00pm - Screening of 'The Last Battle' with Deborah Dennison

4:30pm - Community Talks Series | Dr. J. Marc MacDonald on Scottish Settlements

5:30pm - Book Launch The Secret of Ardnish with Scottish Author Angus MacDonald

7:00pm - On-site Premiere of Saving Glenaladale with Introductions from Director, Mark Sandiford 


Additional ticketed programming

8:30am - Glenaladale Disc Golf Course Opening & Tournament ($10)

11:00am,1:30pm, 3:00pm - Daily House Tours ($15)

10:00am - 4:00pm - The Wonders of Weaving 2 Day Workshop with Knit Pickers ($275)

8:00pm - HERE WE GO Barndance ($20)

June. 27th - Monday

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Festival Day #3

1:30 - 3:30pm - Genealogy Gathering | TRACADIE COMMUNITY CENTRE

2:00pm - Diaspora Tapestries - Video introduction with curator Jenny Bruce and Exhibition

3:00pm - Daily Screening of ‘Saving Glenaladale’ Documentary

4:30pm - Community Talks Series | West Highlands with Deborah Dennison

6:30pm - Tartan, Cloth of Legend with Peter MacDonald

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Additional ticketed programming 

9:30am,11:00am,1:30pm, 3:00pm - Daily House Tours ($15)

10:00am - 4:00pm - The Wonders of Weaving 2 Day Workshop with Knit Pickers ($275)

Open Daily : Glenaladale Disc Golf Course & Trails 

June 28th - Tuesday

Festival Day #4

1:30 pm- 3:30pm - Genealogy Gathering | TRACADIE COMMUNITY CENTRE

2:00pm - Diaspora Tapestries - Video introduction with curator Jenny Bruce and Exhibition

3:00pm - Daily Screening of ‘Saving Glenaladale’ Documentary

4:30pm - Community Talks Series | Dr. Ed MacDonald - Forgotten Father Andrew A. Macdonald and the Island's Scots Catholic Aristocracy

6:30pm MacKinnon Parlour Party & Trad Session (Suggested Donation $20)


Additional ticketed programming - Find Tickets @ www.glenaladalefestival.ca

9:30am,11:00am,1:30pm, 3:00pm - Daily House Tours ($15)

Open Daily : Glenaladale Disc Golf Course & Trails 

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June 29th - Wednesday

Festival Day #5

1:30 - 3:30 - Genealogy Gathering | TRACADIE COMMUNITY CENTRE

2:00pm - Diaspora Tapestries - Video introduction with curator Jenny Bruce and Exhibition

4:30pm - Community Talks Series |Dr. Kenneth A. MacKinnon, Remarks on the Significance of Captain John MacDonald

7:00pm - Queens County Fiddlers in Concert (by Donation)

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Additional ticketed programming 

9:30am,11:00am,1:30pm, 3:00pm - Daily House Tours ($15)

7:00pm - Lavender & Skye Scotch Whiskey Tasting Evening ( $160)

Open Daily : Glenaladale Disc Golf Course & Trails 

June 30th - Thursday

Festival Day #6

1:30pm - 3:30pm - Genealogy Gathering | TRACADIE COMMUNITY CENTRE

2:00pm - Diaspora Tapestries - Video introduction with curator Jenny Bruce and Exhibition

2:00pm - Glenaladale Pipes History & Demo 

2:30pm - Sheep to Loom in Conversation with Farmer, Spinner, and Weaver

3:00pm - Daily Screening of ‘Saving Glenaladale’ Documentary

4:30pm - Community Talks Series | Glenaladale Settlers 1772 - Scotland to St. John's Island (PEI) 2nd Edition Book Launch with Myrna Babineau speaking on Bonnie Prince Charlie and The Borredale MacDonalds

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Additional ticketed programming 

9:30am,11:00am,1:30pm, 3:00pm - Daily House Tours ($15)

12:30 - Knit Pickers' Learn to Loom Knit - Kids & Family Workshop ($35)

7:30pm - Concert Series | Story & Song with Teresa Doyle and The Curious Crow ($25) TRACADIE COMMUNITY CENTRE

Open Daily: Glenaladale Disc Golf Course & Trails 

July 1st - Friday

Festival Day #7

11:00am - 1:00pm - Painting Stones with Lee Ann Pelton, a Family friendly drop in workshop

12:00pm - The 84th of Foot Second Battalion Regimental Association - Historical Reenactors 

2:00pm - Highland Dancing Demos with The College of Piping

2:00pm - Diaspora Tapestries - Video introduction with curator Jenny Bruce and Exhibition

3:00pm - Daily Screening of ‘Saving Glenaladale’ Documentary

3:30 & 4:00 - Gaelic Postcards Language Learning with Rob MacDonald

4:30pm Community Talks Series | Anna & Patrick Duffy on Irish and Scottish Settlers


Additional ticketed programming - Find Tickets @ www.glenaladalefestival.ca

9:30am,11:00am,1:30pm, 3:00pm - Daily House Tours ($15)

7:30pm -Concert Series | West of Mabou & The Chaisson Trio ($30) TRACADIE COMMUNITY CENTRE

July 2nd - Saturday

Festival Day #8

9am - Big Canoe Paddle & Historic Portage

11:30am - Community Lecture Series | Gerard MacDonald - The Catholic Church in the Post Culloden Era

12:00pm - The 84th of Foot Second Battalion Regimental Association - Historical Re-enactors

1:00pm *CANCELED*Sculpture Forest Launch & Walkthrough with Artists

1:30pm - 3:30pm Drop in at Captain John's Old Mansion Site with Archaeologist Erin Montgomery

2:00pm - Diaspora Tapestries - Video introduction with curator Jenny Bruce and Exhibition

2:30pm - Glenaladale Pipes History & Demo 

3:00pm - Daily Screening of ‘Saving Glenaladale’ Documentary

3:30 & 4:00 - Gaelic Postcards Language Learning with Rob MacDonald

4:00pm *note change* - Community Talks Series | Dan McAskill - The Value of a River: Culture, Natural History, Transportation, Industry and Recreation on the Hillsborough

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Additional ticketed programming 

9:30am,11:00am,1:30pm, 3:00pm - Daily House Tours ($15)

5:00pm - Glenaladale’s 250th Anniversary Tartan Dinner ($75)

8:00pm - Tartan Cèilidh with Shane Pendergast, Lovely Nelly, & Luka Hall ($25) TRACADIE COMMUNITY CENTRE

Open Daily : Glenaladale Disc Golf Course & Trails 

July 3rd - Sunday

Festival Day #9

9:00am - Mass at St. Bonaventure Church

10:00am - Big Canoe Paddlers on Tracadie Bay

12:30pm Closing Commemoration at Scotchfort Cemetery 

1:30pm Picnic on the Lawn at Glenaladale 

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Additional ticketed programming 

9:30am,11:00am,1:30pm, 3:00pm - Daily House Tours ($15)

​Open Daily : Glenaladale Disc Golf Course & Trails 

Festival Passes will be available for purchase soon! 

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Day Pass for Site | $5.00 / Person

Daily Group Rate | $15.00 / Car load

Festival Pass for all 9 Days! | $50.00 / Family (2 Adults + 2 Kids)

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*Children under 12 FREE

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