The Golden Triangle Celts of Mississippi will host a Scottish Gathering and Highland Games Saturday, March 29, starting at 8:30 a.m., and on Sunday, March 30, starting at 12:30 p.m. at the Starkville Sportsplex at 405 Lynn Lane.
There will also be “wee lad and lassie” games available to the younger set, as well as Scottish dance workshops for all ages throughout the two-day event. On Saturday evening, March 30, a ball and ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee, a Celtic social gathering) will be held at the Magnolia Manor in Starkville.
The Scottish Highland Games have been a part of Celtic Fest in Jackson each September and the Gulf Coast Gathering annually in November. This year, the Games come to northeast Mississippi.
Historically, Scottish Heavy Events have been held for more than 1,000 years. These included events such as the Open Stone Toss, Heavy Weight for Distance, Light Weight for Distance, Hammer Throw, Caber Toss, Sheaf, and Weight over the Bar, all of which began as tests of strength and conditioning for Scottish warriors and, later, for the Scottish Military.
Over the centuries, the Heavy Events evolved from military exercises into Gatherings for the Scottish public and became an important part of Scotland’s cultural life. Scots brought these traditions to the United States, and they are held yearly wherever there are enough Scots to produce an event as a way of passing Scottish culture from one generation to the next.
Sponsorships are available, both private and institutional. Anyone interested in donating to support the games or in volunteering to help prepare for the games is asked to contact Paige Lawes at 662-324-1507.
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