The Cobourg Highland Game’s rebranding and relocation has been trending, but president George Cackette says things might not be what they seemed.
After calling Cobourg home for 60 years, the “Cobourg Highland Games” are moving to the Port Hope Agricultural Park under the name, “Northumberland Scottish Festival & Highland Games.” Cackette says it was on the town of Cobourg’s parking measures.
The move to Port Hope will completely eradicate that worry, with 400 open slots for parking, as Cackette explains. This allows the Cobourg Highland Games Society to offer free parking to all attendees. Cackette explains the relocation came from rising tension, with the township’s $40 daily rate for parking becoming a focal point. He noted that out of 100 volunteers, some ended up ticketed due to half as many parking passes being supplied. Cackette sheds more light on the situation.
Cackette found this troubling for large families who were already paying $20 per person to enter the Highland Games.
Along with a much more sizeable venue space, the move from Cobourg to Port Hope could open up for more vendors. Cackette explains that insurance rates were upwards of 5-million in Cobourg, which caused problems for vendors. Now the Cobourg Highland Games Society holds that liability to provide some wiggle room.
Cackette is now looking forward to a great Scottish Festival come celebrations in June. The games are working under a new website with all of the details. 2024 Schedule | Northumberland Games (northumberlandhighlandgames.ca)
Written by Noah Lorusso
