Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Cod Gone Wild performs

Everyone got the chance to be Scottish at heart at a lively festival in Penticton, Saturday.

The second annual Penticton Scottish Festival at King's Park was well attended, with numbers up from last year, say organizers.

"There was a significant increase of people," said Wayne McDougall. "A key factor was we had a full-on highland dance competition, which we didn't have last year, featuring more than 100 dancers."

Mayor Andrew Jakubeit opened the event by throwing a kid's version of a caber.

The good times that followed included scotch tasting classes and a stock dog competition. There was also a solo piping and drumming competition and heavy events competition.

The day ended with performances by Cod Gone Wild and Kinship.

"I love it. I'm all about the Celtic, and the music is awesome," said Hope Cheslock of Penticton, as she walked across the festival grounds.

McDougall anticipates it will be even bigger and better in 2016.

"We would be happy to bring it back next year," he said. "We are seeing more of an interest in volunteering and are hoping to grow our volunteer team and the event."