Prosser Scottish Fest and Highland Games set June 18

Grab your kilts, your cabers and your sense of fun.

The annual Prosser Scottish Fest and Highland Games runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 18 at the Prosser Wine and Food Park, 2840 Lee Road.

It boasts “heavy athletic events,” like the caber toss, plus a highland dance competition, music, food and more

“We have a lot going on. There’s something for everybody,” said Ellen Bentley, an organizer. “It’s a fun day for the family.”

The athletic competition runs throughout the morning and afternoon, with about 35 kilt-wearing athletes from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana competing in several events, including the hammer throw and the sheaf and caber tosses.

A sheaf is a bundle of straw, and a caber is a tree trunk.

A kids version of the athletics competition also is planned. It’s for youngsters ages 7 to 14.

An anvil toss and keg toss will close out the athletic games; they’re open to all who want to try.

The highland dance competition starts in the morning, featuring more than 40 dancers.

At 12 p.m., drum major Dayna Wilkinson and a band of pipers and drummers from around the Northwest will lead the Parade of Tartans.

An anvil launch also is planned, a tradition to mark the opening of the festival.

David Lanigan of West Richland, a bagpiper and festival organizer, is the Chieftain of the Day.

The event also will feature the popular Firefighter’s Challenge, in which crews from Yakima Valley fire departments face off in tests of firefighting skills, strength and endurance, plus a “Bonny Knees” contest for men.

The Highland Market will boast goods from local and regional artisans, plus Scottish and Irish imports. Traditional fare also will be available — think Scottish eggs, meat pie and haggis — along with burgers, hot dogs and the like. Beer and cider will be sold.

The festival also includes live music by the Seattle-based Celtic fusion band Ockham’s Razor, the Portland-based Celtic/Irish/folk rockers Sons of Malarkey, plus the Tri-Cities’ Skweez The Weezle. The Three Rivers Dulcimer Society also will perform.

Admission is $10 for adults, and $5 for kids ages 5 to 12 and seniors 65 and older. Children 4 and younger are admitted for free.

Advance tickets are available at prosserscottishfest.org.

This story was originally published June 15, 2016 at 3:02 PM with the headline "Prosser Scottish Fest and Highland Games set June 18."