COQUITLAM, BC — ScotFestBC has announced that retiring Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart will be recognized as the "Chieftain of the Day" during the upcoming British Columbia Highland Games and Celtic festival. The event is scheduled to take place at Town Centre Park on June 19 and 20.

The honorary Chieftain title recognizes Stewart’s continuous support for ScotFestBC and other local cultural festivals throughout his 18-year tenure in public office, which includes service as both a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and the city's mayor. Stewart is set to step down at the next municipal election.

This year’s festival, which marks the 129th edition of the British Columbia Highland Games, will also commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion. A special centenary ceremony honouring the historical military service of Scottish Canadians will be held at Piper’s Field on Saturday, June 20, at 1:00 p.m., featuring a performance by the Legion Centennial Pipe Band.

The two-day festival begins on Friday, June 19, running from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. An official opening ceremony at 6:00 p.m. will feature a cannon blast by the 78th Fraser Highlanders. Friday’s programming also includes the Open Pìobaireachd piping competition, the Big Tent Kitchen Party featuring musical acts Pat Chessell and The Whiskeydicks, and the Island Spirit Social whisky-tasting event at Lafarge Lake.

Saturday’s schedule will run from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., centered around traditional Scottish competitions in bagpiping, drumming, Highland dancing, and heavy events. The British Columbia Pipers’ Association Pipe Band Championships will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., alongside performances by the SFU Pipe Band and massed pipe bands. Juno Award-winning group The Barra MacNeils will headline the weekend’s Celtic music lineup.

The broader festival grounds will host a whisky school, cultural workshops, free children's activities, food trucks, and local artisan vendors. The site is located a short walk from the Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station on the Millennium Line, offering transit access for attendees. Organizers have also planned a special Maori welcome for New Zealand visitors arriving in the city for a Sunday soccer match.

Early bird tickets are available for $25 until June 9. Following that date, admission will increase to $30 for both online and gate purchases.