Contributed by Chris Anderson
The Alaskan Scottish Club will host the 35th Annual Alaska Scottish Highland Games; featuring the World Championship Heavy Events June 25th and 26th at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer. The new two-day format will allow the club to still host the Alaska Championship Amateur Competition as well as the featured Professional World Championships without overlapping the events. Amateurs will throw in the mornings and the featured World Championship events will be in the afternoons.
The authorizing sanctioning body for this event is the International Highland Games Federation (IHGF), www.worldheavyevents.com. This will bring the top 10 Professionals from around the world to Alaska. The confirmed Athletes are:
Dan McKim, USA, (3 time and current World Champion)
Matt Vincent, USA, (2 time World Champion and last year’s “runner-up”)
Scott Rider, England (current World Caber Tossing Champion)
Matt Doherty, Canada (Canadian Champion and 3rd at last year’s Worlds)
Craig Sinclair, Scotland (Scottish Champion)
Sebastian Wenta, Poland
Lukasz Wenta, Poland
Jimmy Van de Walle, Belgium
Daniel Dorow, Germany
Vladaslav Tulacek, Czech Republic
“In addition to the amateur and professional athletic events, there will be piping and drumming competitions,” explains games Chairman, Brandon Talford. “We have the full Highland Games with many other entertainments. These include: Massed Bands at opening and closing ceremonies both days, Saturday night Ceilidh with the “Wicked Tinkers”, children’s games, Tug-O-War competition, Clan Tents, Tea Tent, food & craft vendors and the ever popular scotch tasting events. We hope that people will join us both days for great family entertainment. We are expecting an even larger attendance than the previous year’s 7,500 people.”
Advertisers and vendors will benefit from this increased attendance. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for individuals or companies to support athletes, an event, or the games in general. More information is available on the club’s website at alaskascottish.org/.
2016 Pricing:
Adult: Saturday 6/25: $16 advance – $20 gate
Sunday 6/26: $12 advance – $15 gate
2 Day Pass $25 advance – $30 gate
Youth: (5-16) Saturday or Sunday $5
Advance tickets can be purchased at www.alaskascottish.org or at the gate.
The Alaskan Scottish Club is a non-profit organization established to promote the Scottish culture, heritage and teachings to the people of Alaska. This is achieved this through events, workshops, concerts and other social gatherings in Alaska throughout the year.
