A crowd of over 2,000 gathered at Roanoke County’s Green Hill Park on Saturday, August 25, for the annual Highland Games, now in its 10th year.
A family-friendly event for all ages, this year’s celebration of Scottish heritage started at 9 a.m. and concluded around 6 p.m.
Event highlights included: • various male and female strength competitions • live Scottish music • an understanding of Scottish culture • vendors selling authentic Scottish food • Scotch tastings • performances from the Local Pipers Club and Virginia Highland Pipes and Drums Sponsored by Virginia Prosthetics, Palmetto Primary Care Physicians and WFXR News, approximately $4,000 was raised for Warrior 360, a Virginia-based non-profit organization that promotes the welfare of United States military service members.
Admission was free, but attendees were encouraged to make a donation on behalf of the worthy cause. Chad Clark, Sean Morton and Keenan Holt, in conjunction with Roanoke County Parks Tourism and Event Coordinator Wendi Schultz, were indispensable to this year’s overall success.
“These games are a true test of an athlete’s strength and endurance. The games showcase both male and female athletes who challenge one another in traditional Scottish heavy athletics,” Schultz said. “The athletic competition continues to grow and push boundaries, especially with the addition of the Women’s Elite category, a group of amazing female competitors who have traveled all over the world to compete in various Highland Games.”
Added Chad, who has served as athletic director since 2012, “A lot of Highland Games throughout the United States include Rugby. It’s a very popular sport here in Southwest Virginia. Every year we are trying to add more things. We may not be the biggest event, but we are striving to be better than we were the year before.”
Each year volunteers are needed for the Highland Games. “They handle all aspects of needed tasks,” Wendi said before adding, “We could not do what we do each summer without their support.” Steve Morrow moved from Washington D.C. to Roanoke County in June. After seeing the Green Hill Highland Games advertised online, he knew it was a foregone conclusion that he was going to be present on August 25.
Not only did he expand his knowledge of Scottish Heritage, but he also says he made some new friends. Some, such as Johnny McKenzie, have described the Highland Games as an experience unlike no other. It is an honor, McKenzie said, to participate in this event.
“The Green Hill Highland Games continues to get bigger and bigger. It is a thrower paradise with a huge focus on the athletics. It is also a beautiful setting for a game,” said Jeff Crouch who served as a judge this year. “I have made so many friends and memories by being a thrower and judge. I love everything about this event and encourage everyone to experience it at least once.” Organizers say an estimated 35 percent of this year’s attendees came from outside of the Southwest Virginia area.
