It鈥檚 one of Wayne McDougall鈥檚 favourite things to witness every year: families walking through the gates of the Penticton Scottish Festival on a warm summer day to explore and learn about age-old cultural traditions.

That鈥檚 just one of the many scenes Saturday, July 1, at King鈥檚 Park, as the popular festival returned and welcomed thousands over the course of the day.

Thanks to the Highland Games and dancing on display, as well as world-renowned pipe bands like the one from Simon Fraser University, it doesn鈥檛 take long for any given attendee to get a little taste of Scottish culture upon arrival.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a showcase of culture,鈥� said McDougall, vice president of the Penticton Scottish Festival Society. 鈥淚 like to see the joy of people enjoying it all.鈥�

Once complete, organizers expect close to 3,000 people to have attended the festival over the course of the day.

The day was also marked by performances from live bands from as far as Victoria and the always-popular bagpipe competition, which welcomed young bagpipers from across B.C.

On the opposite end of King鈥檚 Park, Highland Games athletes took part in a number of traditional events like the stone, caber and sheaf toss battles.

鈥淎s we discover something new about a culture, that brings us closer together,鈥� McDougall said. 鈥淟earning and discovering about each other is a good thing.鈥�

A total of 70 volunteers, some of whom worked throughout the year, helped the event come to life.

Like many events in Penticton on Saturday, there were also several food trucks and beer tents inside King鈥檚 Park.

McDougall said the Scottish Festival Society is always looking for more volunteers to join the team. Those interested can visit for more information.

鈥淭here鈥檚 always an opportunity for people to get involved,鈥� he said.

logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com