LEHI — Scottish athletes like to throw things.
They will get their chance, said Jeff Loosle, athletic director of the "Heavy Events," when the Utah Scottish Association holds its ScotFest 2007.
The 33rd annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games starts at Thanksgiving Point's Electric Park at 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday along with Scottish merchandise and food vendors. The games may be the oldest in history.
Other Scottish cultural happenings are also scheduled along with a concert that includes the Wicked Tinkers, Molly's Revenge and Oceans Apart.
"What you will see, simply, (is) some of the best Scottish athletes in the world competing at the National Sheaf Toss Championships," Loosle said.
In the sheaf toss a burlap bag, weighing 16 to 22 pounds, is thrown for height with a pitchfork. The bag has to clear the bar to be a legal throw.
Other athletic events include:
• The Braemar stone, a 22- to 30-pound stone thrown from a standing position.
• The open stone, a 16- to 21-pound stone thrown with an approach.
• A 56-pound heavy weight thrown for distance with one hand and two spins.
• A 28-pound light weight thrown with one hand, two spins, for distance.
• A heavy hammer with a 22-pound ball on a 50-inch handle thrown backward for distance.
• Weight Over Bar — a 56-pound weight thrown one-handed for height. (Weight has to clear an overhead bar.)
"The most famous is the caber toss — a k a telephone pole/tree toss. A caber, up to 20 feet long and weighing 150 pounds, is thrown for accuracy. At a game in Pomona, Calif., last year the game's announcer was asked, "Why do you throw telephone poles?"
"I have always loved his answer, 'Because we can!"' Loosle said. "True, not many can nor would want to, but it's sure an experience to see those that have trained to compete, compete so passionately and so well. Extreme — yes. Guys, big guys, in kilts."
It isn't all about the athletics, however.
"Traditional Scottish dancing, pipe bands, Scottish folk music, food, colorful tartans and Scottish culture create a wee bit o' Scotland in Utah's own Highlands," said Bob Gallimore, spokesman for the Utah Scottish Association.
Friday events begin at 5:30 p.m. and include a strong man contest, the athletic events and a concert by Oceans Apart. The evening's program starts at 7:30 with a military Tattoo. Preview concerts, Scottish dance and the "stirring" torch light are also planned.
Gathering the Clans follows with fireworks.
Saturday events include pipe bands, Scottish dance and heavy athletic competitions. Clans will be at the festival with family histories and cultural/historical displays.
At noon more than 100 pipers join with the clans to participate en mass in a parade. Opening ceremonies in the Barn begin at 1 p.m. when the Scottish dish, haggis, is brought in with pomp, with free samples.
Other events include a shortbread contest judged mid-afternoon, while the LDS Family History Library staff will be available all day at the barn handling genealogy queries.
Tommy Martin and the Salt Lake Piping Club perform throughout the day at their tents. Pre-concert performers Cynthia Dougalass, a Celtic harpist, and Dorian Mirth start after 5 p.m., and the Wicked Tinkers, Molly's Revenge and Oceans Apart are in concert beginning at 7:30 p.m
DESERET NEWS: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,660226907,00.html?pg=2
They will get their chance, said Jeff Loosle, athletic director of the "Heavy Events," when the Utah Scottish Association holds its ScotFest 2007.
The 33rd annual Scottish Festival and Highland Games starts at Thanksgiving Point's Electric Park at 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday along with Scottish merchandise and food vendors. The games may be the oldest in history.
Other Scottish cultural happenings are also scheduled along with a concert that includes the Wicked Tinkers, Molly's Revenge and Oceans Apart.
"What you will see, simply, (is) some of the best Scottish athletes in the world competing at the National Sheaf Toss Championships," Loosle said.
In the sheaf toss a burlap bag, weighing 16 to 22 pounds, is thrown for height with a pitchfork. The bag has to clear the bar to be a legal throw.
Other athletic events include:
• The Braemar stone, a 22- to 30-pound stone thrown from a standing position.
• The open stone, a 16- to 21-pound stone thrown with an approach.
• A 56-pound heavy weight thrown for distance with one hand and two spins.
• A 28-pound light weight thrown with one hand, two spins, for distance.
• A heavy hammer with a 22-pound ball on a 50-inch handle thrown backward for distance.
• Weight Over Bar — a 56-pound weight thrown one-handed for height. (Weight has to clear an overhead bar.)
"The most famous is the caber toss — a k a telephone pole/tree toss. A caber, up to 20 feet long and weighing 150 pounds, is thrown for accuracy. At a game in Pomona, Calif., last year the game's announcer was asked, "Why do you throw telephone poles?"
"I have always loved his answer, 'Because we can!"' Loosle said. "True, not many can nor would want to, but it's sure an experience to see those that have trained to compete, compete so passionately and so well. Extreme — yes. Guys, big guys, in kilts."
It isn't all about the athletics, however.
"Traditional Scottish dancing, pipe bands, Scottish folk music, food, colorful tartans and Scottish culture create a wee bit o' Scotland in Utah's own Highlands," said Bob Gallimore, spokesman for the Utah Scottish Association.
Friday events begin at 5:30 p.m. and include a strong man contest, the athletic events and a concert by Oceans Apart. The evening's program starts at 7:30 with a military Tattoo. Preview concerts, Scottish dance and the "stirring" torch light are also planned.
Gathering the Clans follows with fireworks.
Saturday events include pipe bands, Scottish dance and heavy athletic competitions. Clans will be at the festival with family histories and cultural/historical displays.
At noon more than 100 pipers join with the clans to participate en mass in a parade. Opening ceremonies in the Barn begin at 1 p.m. when the Scottish dish, haggis, is brought in with pomp, with free samples.
Other events include a shortbread contest judged mid-afternoon, while the LDS Family History Library staff will be available all day at the barn handling genealogy queries.
Tommy Martin and the Salt Lake Piping Club perform throughout the day at their tents. Pre-concert performers Cynthia Dougalass, a Celtic harpist, and Dorian Mirth start after 5 p.m., and the Wicked Tinkers, Molly's Revenge and Oceans Apart are in concert beginning at 7:30 p.m
DESERET NEWS: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,660226907,00.html?pg=2
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