International Heavy Events Competition Featured at Calgary Highland Games
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LONGTIME members of the Calgary Highland Games (L-R) Don Nicholson and Ben Niven, and the 2007 and 2008 Chieftain of the Day Alex Graham.
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CALGARY - The Calgary United Scottish Games Association is thrilled to be hosting the International Heavy Events Competition on August 30 as part of the 96th Calgary Highland Games.
With the assistance of Tourism Calgary, they will welcome competitors from Scotland and the United States as well as from across Canada. Cabers, hammers and stones will be tossed and thrown by some of the strongest men in the world.
This grueling competition is the main event of many Highland Games, and the one at the Calgary Highland Games will be something very special. There's a lot of muscle out here in the wild west...let's see who takes home the prizes!
No Highland Games would be complete without pipes and drums, and the Calgary Games offer impressive massed bands and the grand finale of the day. Nothing stirs the blood like the pipes and drums.
Last year, 23 pipe bands competed in over 20 individual piping and drumming competitions. Competitors range from beginner to world class award-winning professionals. Individual prizes range from $37 to $1,000. The duty band is the world famous RCMP Regimental Pipes and Drums of Alberta.
Highland dancing is just as prominent in the Calgary Highland Games. Canada boasts some of the best Highland dancers in the world and Calgary is pleased to announce that over 300 dancers compete at the Calgary games each year, the majority being from across Canada.
For those with a talent more suited to cerebral activities, and a fondness for a microphone, everyone is invited to participate in their Robbie Burns recital - offering $3,000 in prize money! There are two sections this year: one is songs and the other is poetry. It's entirely up to you what Burns piece you recite.
Everyone over the legal drinking age is welcome into the beer tent where there will be musical entertainment alongside the libations.
Finally, don't miss the marketplace with vendor tents set up all around Shouldice Park, offering everything from clan crests, books and kilts to "See You Jimmy" red-haired tams.
Dress code? There's no dress code, but you should expect to find yourself amongst hundreds of kilts. Feel free to dress the part if you have one of your own. Scots are proud of their heritage and culture and wearing your kilt just demonstrates that!
For more information, visit: www.calgaryhighlandgames.org or visit their Facebook page under Calgary United Scottish Games Association.
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