About a dozen Scottish clans will convene at the Greenbank Farm Saturday to share a rich and festive history.
The Whidbey Island Highland Games starts 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 and runs all day.
The center piece of the games is competitions in four major areas — Highland piping, drumming, dancing and traditional Scottish athletics.
Around a dozen or so clans will be present with tents set up, providing an educational piece to the event, said Jessica Larson, Highland Games president.
Visitors can trace their ancestry as they stroll amongst the Clan Tents or enjoy browsing throughout the vender shops, which display traditional Scottish clothing, literature, music and more.
“Athletics is really big this year,” Larson said. “We have over 30 different athletic competitors.
“That’s pretty big for an event our size.”
There are around a dozen different athletic.
“The nice thing is they talk about them (during the event),” Larson said.
There will also be opportunities for kids to get in on the action.
Larson said kid-friendly events will mimic the adult games, but instead of say, throwing a giant pole, they’ll throw a teddy bear.
There will also be Scottish dancing competitions with about 30 or so competitors.
Larsen said the piping competition will be the smallest this year, with about a dozen or so competitors.
There will also be four Scottish bands in addition to other bands performing on the main stage.
Bands include the Shifty Sailors, The Cummings Family and Maggie’s Fury.
In its 17th year, the Highland Games continues to grow in popularity, with participants coming from all over the country and even Canada.
“I think the athletes like the vibe of our event,” Larson said. “They like the venue.”
Organizers are anticipating 1,500 to 2,000 people to attend.
While the games is a family-friendly event, there will also be a beer garden for those childless visitors.
And new this year, the event will be open to those four-legged friends.
Larson said dogs on leashes will be allowed.
For more information, go to www.wihg.org
