King County Fairgrounds hosts 60th annual Scottish Highland Games, July 28-30

Experience the traditions and culture of Scotland without even leaving this time zone at the 60th annual Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering, July 28-30 at the King County Fairgrounds in Enumclaw.

This popular event, which has been held at the fairgrounds since 1987, promotes traditional celebrations of Scottish arts, culture, piping, dance and athletic competitions.

The three-day festival begins Friday at 7 p.m. with a Pub Piping Competition and a Scottish sing-along. Following the customary Rising of the Clans and Flaming Saltire ceremony at 8:30 p.m. will be a Ceilidh (pronounced Kay-Lee), a celebration of contemporary Celtic music and dance. Admission is free to Friday’s events.

Traditional athletic competitions dating back to the 11th Century are integral to the games and provide non-stop family entertainment. At the North American Scottish Athletics Championship on Saturday and Sunday, participants compete in unique events requiring great upper-body strength.

During the Caber Toss athletes flip large logs end over end, and are judged based on the straightness of the turn. Other signature events include the Open Stone Put, similar to the shot put, and the Hammer Throw.

The tones of bagpipes and the staccato of drums fill the air all weekend, as an array of talented musicians compete before judges. While not viewing pipe, drum or dance competitions enjoy Scottish style beers, authentic cuisine and featured performers at the Rampant Lion or the Tilted Kilt pubs. Trace personal Scottish ancestry on the Avenue of the Clans or browse imported goods from the British Isles in the Hall of Vendors.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the gathering, the Seattle Scottish Highland Games Association will present a military Tattoo on Saturday at 7 p.m. This special event will feature pipes and drums, the patriotic music of brass bands, performances by featured entertainers and a reenactment. Saturday admission includes festival seating for the anniversary Tattoo.

Other festival attractions include:

• Bagpipe, drumming and pipe band competitions
• Highland dance competitions
• Scottish farm, with cattle, horses and sheep
• Celtic Kennel tours featuring various Celtic dog breeds

The fairgrounds will be open on Friday, July 28 from 6:45 p.m. - 11 p.m., Saturday, July 29 from 8 a.m. - 11 p.m. and Sunday, July 30 from 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Admission is $12 for the day or $18 for a two-day pass for adults; admission for children ages 5 to 17 and seniors 60 and over is $9 for the day or $13 for a two-day pass. Children under 5 are free. Day-of-game tickets are half price after 4 p.m. Parking is $4.

For more information, including a full schedule of events, visit www.sshga.org.

Directions to the King County Fairgrounds:

From the North: Go south on Interstate 405 to the Maple Valley Highway (State Route 169) and go south to Enumclaw. Follow the signs to the King County Fairgrounds.

From the West: Take State Route 18 east to Auburn, then State Route 164 east to Enumclaw. Follow the signs to the King County Fairgrounds.

From the South: Take State Route 167 and go east on State Route 410 to 284th Avenue Southeast. Follow the signs to the King County Fairgrounds.