49th annual Scottish dance competition taking place in Ottawa

The country’s best highland dancers are in Ottawa for the ScotDance Canada Championship Series. CTV’s Camille Wilson reports.

The nation’s top highland competed in Ottawa this weekend.

More than 1,000 dancers gathered at the Rogers Centre for the start of the Scotdance Canada Championship Series on Sunday.

Performers first compete in a provincial selection meet, vying to be one of the top three in their respective age group to represent their province and win a Canadian title.

“It’s really a thrilling experience and a really honourable experience to be able to represent my province, in the country that we live in,” said Brynn Bonynge, a dancer from Saskatchewan.

“I get to create new memories and experiences and just something that I really enjoy doing.”

Bonynge says she started dancing at three-years-old and has been dancing for 13 years. This is her fourth time competing at the Canadian championships but has been coming to the competition for six years.

“It means a lot being able to represent my province. It means a lot to be able to be here with a whole community of people who just enjoy the same things as I do. It’s something that I will carry through throughout my whole life,” said Bonynge.

Kate Bonar’s grandparents are Scottish and says she’s proud of her heritage. Bonar is at her 12th Canadian championships and has been dancing for 18 years. She’s representing British Columbia.

“This is so much fun. I’ve made my best friends here. It’s so much fun to come to these competitions and reconnect with them from all over the world,” Bonar said.

Drew Fraser from Toronto adds the competition brings a strong community together.

“It feels great to be able to represent Ontario in the Canadian championships. It’s a huge province and it’s really nice to be able to do this,” Fraser said.

The Canadian championships started in Ottawa back in 1974 as a one-day event and has since become a five-day event of opportunities to dancers of all levels from age ages four to 44 plus. The competition will mark its 50th anniversary next year.

“It’s very symbolic for us... we are beyond excited to welcome everybody back to the nation’s capital to celebrate,” said Chelsea Leplante, awards lead for the competition series.

“We are awarding our seven champion Canadian Champion titles. It’s very exciting. This is really the most prestigious title that you can get in Highland dancing in Canada. We are really looking forward to awarding our seven brand new Canadian champions.”

The competition will run until July 9.

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