Highland Games to once again celebrate Scottish heritage at King County Fairgrounds

2004 Archived News

Caber tossing, Highland dancing, and bag piping return to the King County Fairgrounds in Enumclaw July 31-Aug. 1 as part of the 58th annual Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games & Clan Gathering.

The Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games are the sixth oldest in the United States and the largest in Washington State, with past attendance reaching 30,000.

Cost is $10 for adults, $7 for children 5 to 18 and seniors 60 and over, and free for children under 5. For a two-day pass, admission is $16 for adults, and $11 for children 5 to 18 and seniors 60 and over. Parking is $4 per day.

Enjoy the Celtic Arts Showcases as various English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh dancers, musicians, and singers perform. Stroll through the Avenue of the Clans to delve into Scottish ancestry and heritage, or wind through the Hall of Vendors to observe the fine workmanship of Scottish artisans. Also check out the Scottish Farm, with shaggy Scotch Highland, Angus, Ayrshire and Galloway cattle, Clydesdale horses, and Black Faced and Shetland sheep. Watch Scottish dog breeds at work and at play.

Competitive dancing, individual piping and drumming, pipe bands, Scottish athletic events, delicious, traditional Scottish foods and much more are all part of the appeal of the Highland Games, which are open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. Athletes deftly toss the caber and put the stone on the athletic field of battle. At 7 p.m. on Saturday evening, attend the Ceilidh (pronounced Kay-lee), a traditional Scottish party with music, sing-alongs, stories and Scottish country dancing.

For more information, times or a schedule of events, call 206-522-2541, or visit the Seattle Scottish Highland Games Association Web site at www.sshga.org (external link). For more details about the King County Fairgrounds, click on: www.metrokc.gov/parks/rentals/fairgnds.htm.