The Hector Festival began in 1987 in conjunction with the International Gathering of the Clans celebration. The past 20 years have seen amazing growth in the Hector Festival—thousands of visitors and residents attend our five day festival which is a celebration of our Celtic music and heritage. The focus of the Hector Festival is our musical Celtic heritage—Pictou was the landing site of the first wave of Scottish settlers to Nova Scotia and the Hector Festival celebrates the accomplishments of these early pioneers.
The harbour town of Pictou, Nova Scotia, is where it all started. In 1773, the first wave of a tide of Scottish settlers rowed ashore from the ship “Hector.” They brought with them their heritage and culture. The Hector Festival, celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2006, keeps this spirit alive with five days and nights packed with entertainment, displays, workshops and demonstrations. The Hector Festival offers a warm New Scotland welcome to all!
Today, the Town of Pictou continues to work towards the enhancement of their tourism assets within Pictou County . The waterfront in Pictou is home to the deCoste Entertainment Centre and the Ship Hector Heritage Quay. Both facilities play an integral role in the celebration of the first Scottish settlers to Nova Scotia and mark its significant place in history. The Hector Festival celebrates the landing on an annual basis and also celebrates the birthplace of New Scotland.
The deCoste Entertainment Centre Society is a not for profit society which operates the deCoste Entertainment Centre in Pictou, Nova Scotia and has presented The Hector Festival since it’s beginning in 1987. The deCoste Board is made up of community volunteers from throughout Pictou County .
