Bruce Festival returns with new Highland Games, free admission

The Bruce Festival will return to the Boundary County Fairgrounds July 18-19, bringing a weekend of Scottish history, culture and family-friendly activities to Bonners Ferry. 

Now in its third year, the festival continues to grow and will introduce several new attractions for 2026, including the inaugural Bonners Ferry Highland Games and free admission for all attendees. 

Festival founder John Miller said this year's event will feature expanded historical exhibits, additional vendors and a wider variety of food, demonstrations and interactive activities designed to appeal to visitors of all ages. 

Among the biggest additions are the Bonners Ferry Highland Games, a new feature inspired by traditional Scottish athletic competitions. Festivalgoers will have the opportunity to watch and learn about the games while exploring the history behind many of the events. Alongside the Highland Games will be a “primative games” competition, showcasing even older athletic contests and challenges rooted in history. 

"We intend to provide some historical content that tells the stories of many of the games and where they came from," Miller said. 

The festival will also feature live bagpipe music, Scottish dance, sword fighting demonstrations, blacksmithing, storytelling, historical displays and authentic Scottish-inspired food and beverages. Organizers are expanding their food offerings this year with selections representing Scotland and several of its historic allies, including Italy, France, Spain and Ireland. 

A new sword-fighting arena will also debut this year through the Selkirk Swordsmen Guild. Adults will demonstrate historical-style combat using steel swords, while children and young adults will have the opportunity to participate in a supervised sword-fighting arena of their own. 

For the first time, admission to the festival itself will be free. 

Miller said the decision was made in part to make the event more accessible and to encourage more people to experience the history and culture the festival aims to share. 

"My goal is to reach as many people as possible," Miller said. "I think a lot of people would appreciate learning more about Scottish history and some of the stories that we never really learned in school." 

In addition to the activities at the fairgrounds, festival organizers will host a free screening of the film “Robert the Bruce” at the Rex Theater on Friday, July 17. The movie stars Angus Macfadyen, who portrayed Robert the Bruce in the Academy Award-winning film “Braveheart”. Organizers also hope to offer additional historical presentations before the screening. 

The festival is named for Robert the Bruce, the 14th-century King of Scots who played a central role in Scotland's fight for independence. Throughout the weekend, visitors will find exhibits and presentations exploring Scottish history and the lives of notable historical figures connected to the pursuit of liberty and freedom. 

When asked what he hopes visitors will take away from the experience, Miller pointed to the educational side of the event. 

"I hope they leave with more knowledge about the story of Robert the Bruce, Joan of Arc and the struggles people faced in pursuit of liberty and freedom," he said. 

The Bruce Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 18 and 19 at the Boundary County Fairgrounds. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in period attire, costumes or armor, although coming in costume is not required. 

"If Robert the Bruce himself could walk through the festival," Miller said, "I think he would be impressed that 752 years later he is still remembered." 

    The Bruce Festival 2025