The Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival has featured exhibitions of equipment, events and techniques of Scottish Highland Games for the past three years. This year our very special guest Larry Brock will host the Highland Games exhibitions. This champion professional athlete and coach has won numerous titles including: 2008 SGA British Champion, 2007 United States Champion, 2007 World Hammer Champion, 2007 World Stone Champion, and 2007 North American Champion! Wow! Don’t miss this amazing opportunity to see Larry Brock in action, and in person!
This year an all-out competition will ensue! Our friends Stuart Meyer, now a fully-sanctioned Highland Games judge, and his wife Rae return to host the NELA Celtic Festival Highland Games Area and to oversee our first amateur competition. Prizes will be given in the form of Scottish swords (including the legendary Claymore), sgian dubhs (ceremonial knives), and other fun Celtic gear provided by the Meyers’ vendor booth, Ozark Celtic Traders. Visit the Highland Games Area throughout both days this weekend to witness extraordinary feats of strength by athletes traveling in from across the Southern United States!
Call for a Few Good Men
You do not have to be a practicing Highland Games athlete to participate in the amateur competition. Think you are strong enough and want to try it out? If you are interested in pre-registering to compete and/or participating in upcoming preparatory clinics, or want to get more information, contact the Highland Games Coordinator, Tom McCandlish. (email protected by captcha) There is no fee for registration and pre-registration is not required for the amateur  competition (although it is recommended). Competition participants will need to go to the games area to sign up and sign waivers with Stuart Meyer when the festival gates open at 10:00 a.m. on Oct. 25th.
Also, new participants might like to attend Training Day on Oct. 11 and 12, from 10 am to 3 pm. Download the flyer as a PDF or JPG!
Highland Games Rules
 Scottish Highland Games have their roots in the ancient traditions and culture of the Scottish Highlands and Western Isles. The equipment currently used for Highland Games has evolved from items locally available to the early Scotsman. Today’s Scottish Highland Games athletes require strength, skill and endurance to compete in these time-honored events. The followinginformation is given with permission from the Southeastern Scottish Amateur AthleticAssociation and explains what you will see at the festival this year. Visit www.thessaaa.org for more information and enjoy the games!
The Clachneart or "Stone of Strength"
This ancient event is similar to the modern day shot-put, using a stone approximately 16 to 28 pounds instead of a steel ball. The stone must be 'put' from the front of the shoulder using one hand only. Each competitor is allowed a seven-and-a-half foot run-up to the toe-board or trig. The contestants are judged on the longest of the three tosses. If the athlete touches the top of the trig or the ground in front of it during his attempt, the toss is not counted.
The 28 and 56 pound throw
Using metal weights with a chain or handle attached, the athletes are throwing for distance. The weight is thrown one-handed from behind the trig 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 contestants are judged on the longest of the  three tosses. The athlete must remain standing after throwing the weight. If the athlete touches the top of the trig or the ground in front of it during his attempt, the throw is not counted.
The 56 pound Weight Toss
The objective of this strength event is to toss the 56# weight with an attached handle over a horizontal bar of variable height. The starting height of competition is the lowest agreed upon by the competitors. Once a competitor starts to throw, he must compete each time the bar is raised. Using only one hand, each athlete is allowed three attempts to clear the bar at each height. If the weight touches the bar on its way over but doesn't dislodge it, it remains a successful toss. All measurements are made from the ground to the top of the bar midway between the uprights. As the bar is raised, the field of athletes is reduced. This event continues until all competitors but one are eliminated.
The Hammer Throw
The Scottish hammer, a round metal hammer head weighing 16 or 22 pounds with a cane shaft, is thrown for distance. The athlete throws the hammer with his back to the trig and the throwing area. The competitor's feet may not move until after he releases the hammer. Each athlete gets three throws with the hammer and is judged by his best distance. Touching the top of the trig or the ground in front of it renders the throw a foul.
The Sheaf Toss
Using a three-tined pitchfork, the athletes hurl a 16pound burlap bag stuffed with straw over a horizontal bar raised between two standards. Each competitor is given three opportunities to clear the bar. After all attempts, the bar is raised in one to two foot increments. The continually rising bar reduces the field as competition continues until all but one athlete are eliminated.
The Caber Toss
 The centerpiece of the modern Highland Games, the caber requires strength, balance and timing. The caber is a tapered log approximately 19 feet long and weighing 100 to 130 pounds (These weights and measurements vary at different games depending on the field of athletes and the terrain). The athlete hoists the caber and folds his hands under the end while cradling it against his shoulder. Gaining the balance of the upright caber, he will run briefly with it to gain momentum for the toss. Followed by field judges, the competitor heaves the caber up and over to ground its heavy end and let it fall forward. The field judge will ascribe a 'score' to the toss. If the caber is 'turned' it will be scored with its final position relative to the face of a giant clock, 12:00 being a perfect score. If the caber is grounded but doesn't turn, it is scored by the degree it rose from the ground.
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