33rd annual Scottish Highland Games planned at Alaska State Fairgrounds June 28

PALMER — Its own success is the catalyst for the 33rd annual Scottish Highland Games to move from their longtime home at the Eagle River Lion’s Club Park to a larger venue on the Alaska State Fairgrounds, 2075 Glenn Highway in Palmer.

Chris Anderson has been the chairperson for the Highland Games for the past 10 years and has been involved with the games for 16 years total.

“The event has become so popular with a tremendous growth that has allowed us to move out to the Alaska State Fairgrounds,” he said.

In past years, parking has been in short supply at the games, but the move to the fairgrounds will fix that, Anderson said.

There is a lot of fun to be had from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., June 28 including Highland dancing, piping and drumming competitions, and toss the caber, weight for distance, weight for height, hammer throw and the stone throw competitions.

A couple of new activities this year are the Fly Ball Dog competition and the Women’s Farmer’s Walk. In this activity women carry 90-pound weights in each hand while walking a specified distance.

There will be children’s Pony Rides and children’s Scottish Athletic Activities.

Skinny Raven Sports will sponsor “The Kilted Mile” fun run offered to the whole family. The only requirement is that all participants wear a kilt.

More than 60 vendors also will participate in the annual cultural event. The festival includes two beer tents, hosted by the Alaska State Fairgrounds and the Denali Brewing Company in Talkeetna.

Along with the regular Scotch tasting event this year there will be an educational Scotch tasting activity. To participate a ticket, visit Celtic Treasures, 4240 Old Seward Highway, Anchorage. Commemorative glasses are $30 and can be used to sample a variety of Scotch whiskey.

There will be Scottish music during the course of the day featuring the band Seven Nations who will play at noon and also from 7 to 9 p.m. The band mixes American pop/rock music with cultural bagpipes and fiddle to give you the ultimate Celtic

experience.

“Come in and enjoy Scottish culture,” Anderson said. “There is something for everybody in the family and for all ages.”

Purchase advanced tickets for $12.50 for adults, and $4 for children at Celtic Treasures and at The Bookshelf. At the gate, tickets are $15 for adults, and $5 for children. Military and seniors pay $13 and a group rate of $45 is offered.

For more information, visit alaskascottish.org/games.html.