Events

Toronto Scottish Regiment set to host the Toronto Garrison Ball February 24

Entrenched in history, the 201st edition of the Toronto Garrison Ball will be held on Feb. 24, 2018.

“Every year the Toronto officers community tries to get together to put on an event with the intent of having a carefree, easy night to enjoy each other’s company…It’s a good opportunity for the officers in the Toronto Garrison, or 32 Brigade Group, to get together and catch up, have a few laughs,” said 2Lt Andrew Carlson, Public Affairs Officer with the Toronto Scottish Regiment.

The Toronto Garrison Officers Ball has a long and celebrated history that dates back to 1817 when the Garrison at York (Fort York) held an Officers’ Ball to celebrate Queen Charlotte’s Birthday on Jan. 23. The ball has carried on through the centuries almost continuously.

This year, the ball will be hosted by the Toronto Scottish Regiment, a Canadian Army Reserve Infantry Unit, and will highlight an “Evening of Scottish Dining and Dancing.”

“The big takeaway from this year’s Garrison Ball is that we’re really trying to get to the roots of the Officer’s Ball,” commented Carlson.

This year’s ball will be held at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Grand Ballroom. Guests can expect five bars, weapons displays and Highland dancers for entertainment. Additionally, the Hockey Hall of Fame will be showcasing the NHL’s connection to the Canadian Armed Forces.

Dinner will begin promptly at 7 p.m., and after an array of short speeches, guests can enjoy the rest of dinner with dancers from the McDonnell School of Highland Dance and the Pipes and Drums of the Toronto Scottish Regiment.

The evening will be emceed by Breakfast Television’s Kevin Frankish.

Of course, no Toronto Garrison Ball is complete without proper protocol toasts, a moment of silence for the fallen, and the parade of marches following the Canadian Forces Order of Precedence.

Because Scottish dancing is part of the theme for the evening, after dinner the Highland dancers will provide instruction on how to perform Scottish dances and the Celtic rock band, Poor Angus, will be the entertainment for the remainder of the evening.

“Our objective is to get people to the dance floor and treat them to a nice night of Highland dancing, Scottish cuisine, and a fine dining experience. That’s really at the heart of it, just get right to the festivities as it were,” said Carlson.

All serving and former officers of the Toronto Garrison, members of HMCS York and HMCS Star, 400 squadron and all other officers residing in the Greater Toronto Area are welcome to attend.

Tickets are $125 each, purchase your tickets by emailing [email protected].

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Mishall Rehman

Originally from Atlanta, GA, Mishall is a freelance journalist pursuing her passion for writing in her new homeland Canada. She currently lives in Trenton, ON with her husband.

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