Friday, August 28

A little music, a little throwing stones and a lot of guys in kilts!

This past weekend we were able to attend the Celtic Highland Games here in the Quad Cities. It is a really neat event with all sorts of stuff to keep Killian entertained. There was kids crafts and storytelling. Killian made herself a crown and a shield. There was lots of music for Killian to dance to. She really enjoyed the bagpipes, from a distance.

Decorating a crown with Daddy.
There were also animals to pet and watch. They had some Highland Cattle that she was able to touch. I believe this might have been the first time she was able to get really close to animal of this size. You can see that she really wanted to pet the cows but as soon as she would touch one she would quickly pull her hand back.

Killian petting the cow.



We also got to watch some sheep herding. Killian didn't quite understand what was going on. She kept calling for the dogs to come over to her. She enjoyed when the dog would bring the sheep over to where we were sitting. As soon as they would start to go away she would yell "Come here, come here".


The sheep preparing for the demonstration.

The dogs preparing.
Killian's favorite part would have to have been the athletic Games of Brawn or Heavy Athletics. These events include:
Clachneart (Stone of strength) & Braemar Stone
These ancient events are similar to the modern day shot-put, using a stone instead of a steel ball. The stone must be 'put' from the front of the shoulder using only one hand. A 16 to 22 pound stone is used for the Clachneart, which allows a seven-and-a-half foot run-up to a toe board. The Braemar is a standing throw using a 22 to 30 pound stone.

Weight Throws
Scottish Weight throws are the origin of the NCAA track weight throw. The weight throw was also contested in the Olympics until 1920 Games. A heavy (56 lbs) and light (28 lbs) metal implement is thrown for distance. The weight is thrown one-handed from behind the toe board with a nine-foot run up allowed. Any style may be used, but the most popular and efficient is to spin like a discus thrower. The weights are based on “stone” weights of the old imperial measuring system, often used in agriculture. The implements thrown developed from yard weights used to balance scales. A “stone” weighs 14-pounds, which means the athlete is throwing 2 and 4 stone weights.
Scottish Hammer
The Scottish hammer is the precursor to the Olympic wire hammer throw and most likely comes from throwing black smith hammers or “mells”, which were used to drive in fence posts. Today, the Scottish hammer is metal ball weighing 16 or 22 pounds (12 and 16 pounds for women) on a 50 inch long cane or PVC shaft and is thrown for distance. The hammer is thrown over the shoulder with the competitors back facing the field. The hammer is whirled in circles about the competitor’s body from over his head to down in front of his feet, each time picking up speed until the release. The competitor's feet may not move until after he releases the hammer over his shoulder.

Sheaf Toss
The Sheaf Toss uses a hay fork to toss a 16 to 20 pound sheaf (burlap bag full of twine) for height. This event has its roots in agricultural where farmers would throw wheat sheafs into the loft. Top competitors can launch the sheaf over 30 feet in the air. An unusual aspect of this event is that any competitor may use any other competitor’s fork.

Weight Toss
The 4 stone or 56 pound weight used for distance event is also tossed for height. Since this event is traditionally the last events of the day, it is a gut check for the competitor. This event is periodically used in the World Strongest Man Competition. With heights thrown over 15 feet, this event is akin to throwing a car battery onto a highway overpass.

Caber Toss
This event requires raw strength, balance, and coordination to pick up a 16-20 foot tall tapered pole weighing 90 to 140 pounds and flipping it end over end.


Killian enjoying some caber tossing!
(Can you see the giant tree like pole to the left of Killian's head?
That's is what they are throwing.)


Killian loved the Caber Toss! She would yell and clap for all the athletes. The athletes would turn around and smile and laugh when Killian would go crazy. Everyone around us was getting such a kick out of watching Killian react to the throws. She didn't care if they did good or bad they all got a round of applause from her! Killian really wanted to join in the games but she is just a bit too young. I think she would be old enough to start taking some Irish dance lessons though.

All in all the Celtic Highland games were very entertaining and educational. Sean and Killian both looked like they fit in quite well with the redhair and freckled folks. I believe next year Sean will be required to wear a kilt!

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