Oxford County

85th Embro Highland Games – Monday, July 1, 2024!

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Hello Everyone, please see this guest post from the Zorra Caledonian Society:

85th Embro Highland Games – Monday, July 1, 2024

The Zorra Caledonian Society is putting the finishing touches on the 85th Embro Highland Games (EHG), taking place Monday, July 1, 2024, at the Embro Zorra Community Centre (EZCC) 355644 35th Line, Zorra. Gates open at 7 am and there is a full line-up of family-friendly activities that will appeal to visitors of all ages.

There are over 200 entries in the individual piping and drumming competitions which begin at 8:30 am with the ever- popular Massed Bands taking the Main Field at 12:30 pm and at 4:30 pm. For the first-time in decades, Grade 2 Pipe Bands have been invited to compete in Embro, travelling from further afield and performing with a higher degree of difficulty. For guests wanting to take in some true Scottish culture the Highland Dance competition begins at 9 am and runs all day with over 100 dancers registered to compete. In keeping with the theme, a wide variety of Scottish vendors on site offer Scottish jewelry, food, tartan clothing, and Celtic arts & crafts and more.

Back again in Embro is the popular Tug-of-War competition and four teams have registered; Ellice (near Stratford), Bluewater (Dashwood), an army team from London, ON and Mount Vernon from Wisconsin, USA. Heavy Events (with the popular caber toss) featuring male and female athletes from across the province vying for top honours, starts at 10:30 am. For those animal enthusiasts, the Scottish livestock area will be open all day with breeds of cattle, horses and sheep that would have all originated in Scotland. Scottish Dogs on Parade, always a favourite show for visitors, will “strut the ring with their humans” at 11 am. There will also be two Dog Agility shows and three Sheep Herdingdemonstrations.

Returning to Embro are two local craft breweries; Upper Thames Brewing Co. (Woodstock) and Junction 56 Distillery (Stratford). The Paddy Stones will open for the Steel City Rovers, and both groups will perform three sets for some rousing live Celtic music in the Muckle Tent. A NEW whisky barrel rolling demonstration will take place on the main field after the pipe bands have marched off at the midway point in the day. For those wanting a slower pace, the Scottish Tea Room will be open from noon to 4 pm, hosted by the Knox Presbyterian Church, with the volunteers serving a selection of teas and traditional delicious delights to enjoy in the arena lobby.

Inside the Great Hall (complete with air-conditioning) the following events will take place. From 10 am to 3 pm, the children’s Scottish Crafts will engage and entertain the wee visitors as they embrace and create with Scottish culture in mind! At 1:15 pm we will have entertainment showcasing Taiwanese Culture which ties in with the Zorra-Taiwan connection and our shared “son” Rev. Dr. George Leslie Mackay. NEW this year we are offering Whisky Tasting with David Prosser from 3-4:30 pm. There are limited spots available to taste four “top shelf” whiskies with advance tickets sold online for $ 50/each.

The Oxford Weavers & Spinners Guild and the Visitors’ Information area, selling 85th Embro Highland Games merchandise, will be set up all day outdoors in the new Embro Zorra Community Centre Pavilion. Six Scottish clans will participate at the Games this year rounding out a full day of family fun with a Scottish flair! Open all day are exhibits in the Great Hall which include the Taiwanese legacy of George Leslie Mackay, Tartans on Display, the Mighty Men of Zorra, 85 years of the Embro Highland Games and Zorra Heritage.

Four professional one-minute videos were created at the 2023 Embro Highland Games and are available to watch online at www.embrohighlandgames.ca. On the website, you can also purchase advance tickets for adults which are discounted by 10%! Admission at the Gate is $30 for adults, $ 10 for youth (ages 13-17) with children 12 and under admitted at no charge. Guests are welcome to bring a lawn chair and parking is complimentary.

The Zorra Caledonian Society is a non-profit community organization formed in 1937 that celebrates and promotes the Scottish heritage of Embro-Zorra. Their signature event, the Embro Highland Games, brings thousands of visitors to Oxford County and is the oldest Highland Games in Ontario. The Embro Highland Games truly exemplifies an entire community coming together for the celebration of all things Scottish! Follow us on Facebook, Snapchat & Instagram.

For more information contact President – Geoff Innes @ 519-537-1202, Vice President – Steve MacDonald 519-475- 4219 or Social Media & Website Coordinator – Holly MacDonald at info@embrohighlandgames.ca

Please feel free to share this poster: 85th Embro Highland Games

The OxHS is now on Facebook and Instagram, to like us search: OxfordHistoricalSociety1897
Or click on the FB or Instagram symbol on the right hand side of our website!

If you would like your event or article published (relating to Oxford County ON or South-Western ON), on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

Zorra Heritage Committee – Mother’s Day Tea – Saturday, May 11, 2024!

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Hello Everyone,

Please see this guest post from the Zorra Heritage Committee:

Wednesday, May 8 at 2:30pm

Saturday, May 11 at 11am and 2:30pm

Celebrate Mother’s Day this spring with loved ones and friends at the Mother’s Day Tea Saturday, May 11, hosted by the Zorra Heritage Committee at the historic Beachville District Museum.

Each ticket includes a selection of sweet treats and three types of teas, along with a complimentary photo taken in the Museum’s Parlour Room by Doris Weir Photography.

Space is limited and tickets are by advance only until Friday, May 3, 2024.
They may be purchased in person at the Beachville District Museum or on line at www.beachvilledistrictmuseum.com 
Adults are $25, children 12 and under $10. 

For more information contact the Beachville District Museum, or Doris Weir at 519-808-6197

The OxHS is now on Facebook and Instagram, to like us search: OxfordHistoricalSociety1897
Or click on the FB or Instagram symbol on the right hand side of our website!

If you would like your event or article published (relating to Oxford County ON or South-Western ON), on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

Zorra Heritage Committee – Harrington Grist Mill Gathering – Wednesday, May 1 at 7pm!

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Hello Everyone,

Please see this guest post from the Zorra Heritage Committee:

The Zorra Heritage Committee (ZHC) invites everyone to join them in exploring the Harrington Grist Mill on Wednesday, May 1 at 7pm. You do not need to be a member of ZHC to attend. This is a free meeting and is open to the public.

The mill, while owned by the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, is operated by the Harrington & Area Community Association (HACA). HACA has been actively working for over two decades to preserve the mill. Two knowledgeable “millers” will be present to speak to the history of this mill and to the significance of mills in the development of early settlements throughout Oxford County in the 19th century.

The Zorra Heritage Committee (ZHC) is open to anyone interested in identifying and preserving heritage within the Township of Zorra. The committee seeks to uncover historical resources related to the Township’s past and to participate in activities and events that make these histories accessible to the public. ZHC is a committee of the Beachville District Historical Society and meets monthly, usually at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month except July and August.  We alternate, one month with a business meeting and the following month with an activity related to our heritage.

You are welcome to join ZHC, whether or not you live in Zorra. Begin by taking out a membership at https://beachvilledistrictmuseum.com/membership/bdm-membership

The OxHS is now on Facebook and Instagram, to like us search: OxfordHistoricalSociety1897
Or click on the FB or Instagram symbol on the right hand side of our website!

If you would like your event or article published (relating to Oxford County ON or South-Western ON), on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

National Tartan Day Saturday April 6, 2024!

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Hello Everyone,

Please see this guest post from the Zorra Caledonian Society:

The Zorra Caledonian Society would like you to join us for a “Pub Night” with live music & a wee bit of Scottish fun on Saturday, April 6th, 2024, as we celebrate National Tartan Day!

Join us as we listen to the Paddy Stones, win prizes & enjoy some traditional Scottish “nibbles”….. everything from ‘Haggis Balls with whiskey sauce’ to ‘Dundee cake’!

When: Saturday, April 6th, 2024
Where: Embro Legion
When: 7pm to 11pm
Cost: $25.00
Tickets Available online at: www.zorracaledoniansociety.ca
or at door subject to availability (please note numbers are limited)

Feel free to print and share this poster: National Tartan Day April 6, 2024

For questions contact the Zorra Caledonian Society

If you would like your event or article published (relating to Oxford County ON or South-Western ON), on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca

Zorra Heritage Committee Meeting – Wednesday, March 6 at 7pm!

by

Hello Everyone,

Please see this guest post from the Zorra Heritage Committee:

The Zorra Heritage Committee (ZHC) is exploring the stories behind those “Historically…”signs you see to mark the forgotten places throughout Zorra.

We are gathering this information to:
1. Prepare an exhibit for Oxford Local History Day (Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Ingersoll Library)
2. Develop a website explaining the signs and encouraging people to see them all and consider Zorra’s interesting history
3. Enrich our own knowledge of Zorra’s history

Here is the history behind Holiday:
‘The Crossroads, now known as Holiday, at the town line between East Nissouri at the former West Zorra TownshipRoad 78, has historically been known by many names. According to W.J Winterberg, the hamlet was known as Nissouri since 1853. In 1880, Holiday was known as McBrayne’s Corners. The hamlet boasted a school, blacksmithshop, and a general store. The population was 25 individuals, and mail was delivered daily. Mr. McBrayne owned a hotel, and general store on the south west corner of the farm at Lot 11 Con 1 West Zorra. The hotel was also home to a local post office. Before the CPR was established through Thamesford, mail was delivered via stage from Ingersoll. According to post office records, the town name was officially changed from Nissouri to Holiday in October 1894. By 1902, the population of Holiday had risen to nearly 50 people. There was a spring that carried throughout all of the citizens farms and eventually branched into the Thames River. This spring proved greatly important during the depression, as it allowed families to easily access water, as well as give the children a place to play. The community in Holiday, was very close, and held many events together.’

Click on this link to read about other Zorra Historic Rural Communities!

There are many Historical Communities to research, contact ZHC for the complete list of communities.

The next meeting of the ZHC will be on Wednesday, March 6th at 7pm at the Beachville District Museum. The meeting is free and open to the public.

If you wish to attend the meeting or participate in the research contact Sam Coghlan:

Sam Coghlan,
Secretary ZHC
(519) 475-4097
sam@oxford.net

If you would like your event or article published (relating to Oxford County ON or South-Western ON), on the Society’s blog please email us at info@oxhs.ca