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Homer, Alaska 2011 Visitors Guide
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Story last updated at 4:43 p.m. Thursday, July 15, 2004

Highland Games come back to town
By Ben Stuart
Staff Writer

photo: sports

  Homer News file photo
Bret MacDonald tosses a 52-pound weight for height.  
Do not be alarmed Saturday morning if you see large men walking down Pioneer Avenue without pants. They are just athletes heading to Homer's Second Annual Highland Games, and organizers say, hopefully, they'll be wearing their kilts.

This year's games, a fundraiser for the Kachemak Heritage Land Trust, will begin at Nomar at 10 a.m., with a parade of bagpipe bands, Celtic dance groups, and athletes from southcentral Alaska strutting their Scottish stuff.

The group will head to the Homer High School field where the competition will begin at 10:30 a.m.

Event organizer Darryl Farrens said the competition will include putting the stone, weight for distance, and the hammer throw before 1 p.m. The weight for height, sheep toss and caber toss will begin after 2 p.m.

From 1-2 p.m. performances from the Celtic dancers and bagpipers will provide entertainment.

The modern Highland Games originated in the highland country of Scotland as early as 1000 A.D. as tests of strength and honor among clansmen.

photo: sports

  Homer News file photo
A troupe from Anchorage plays trditional Scottish tunes at last year's games.  
Today, Highland Games are held throughout North America and Europe. Last month the Alaskan Scottish Club celebreated its 23rd annual Highland Games and Gathering of the Clans in Eagle River.

Many of these athletes are scheduled to travel to Homer for this year's games.

Farrens said, like last years games, several events are scheduled for the community games which will begin at the high school at 11:30 a.m.

"We're going to have a mad golfers toss, a halibut throw and the kilted mile," Farrens said.

Several events, such as the Xtratuff boot kick, salmon toss and cardboard caber toss are scheduled for kids.

Farrens said the games will coincide with the Street Fair also at the high school Saturday.

"Between the two events there will be a lot of stuff for all to do," he said. "We're calling it our super Saturday."

The forecast is calling for good weather over the weekend, but Farrens said the events will go on rain or shine.

"It wouldn't hurt if it was a little cooler," he said. "But they are used to doing this in rain in Scotland from time to time."

The games cost $12 for adults and $5 for children ages 6-15. Families of four or more can get in for $35.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the Diamond Creek Fund, established by KHLT in the area, which includes more than 25 kilometers of Nordic ski trails and the seven-mile Homestead Trail.

Ben Stuart can be reached at ben.stuart@homernews.com.

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