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Scottish-Highland Games Come to Central Florida


January 17, 2014 | WMFE--Scottish culture is coming to Central Florida, at least for this weekend, for the 37th Annual Scottish-Highland Games of Central Florida.

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Bagpipe music and men in kilts will fill Central Winds Park of Winter Springs Saturday and Sunday, January 18 and 19.  The Scottish-Highland Games will feature competitions in Scottish music, dance, sheep dog herding and athletics. 

For the iconic caber toss, men – and women – will run carrying logs weighing around 100 pounds.  They’ll toss them forward like their ancestors did to cross moats and attack castles.  "Someone would run up to the edge of the moat and throw it, and, if it landed correctly, it could be used as a footbridge," explains Chuck McGrew.  He's vice-president of the Scottish-American Heritage Association, which hosts the games. 

He says, these days, the caber toss and other events are about family fun – not battle.  He adds, they’re also about honoring Scottish roots.  "Everyone’s proud of their heritage," he says.  "A lot of people can’t afford to go where they’re from.  Bringing it to Central Florida allows them to do that for a little bit money instead of paying airfares, you know?"

McGrew says that pride must be strong in Central Florida, even after 37 years of the games.  He points out around 22,000 people attended the event last year.

 

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