Set up continues for 51st Annual Scottish Games and Celtic Festival

Organizers for this year’s Monterey Scottish Games and Celtic Festival spent Thursday preparing the Fairgrounds for a weekend which will serve as a toast to Scottish heritage.

“We’re converting the fair and events center into Scotland,” says Chieftain of the festival, Andy Clarke. “We’re gonna take you overseas when you walk through that gate.”

The scenery brings competition, as athletes will test their strength in the caber toss, hammer and stone throw and other “Scottish heavy athletic” events.

You’ll also see highland dancing and hear bagpipes playing throughout the grounds.

“You don’t hear bagpipes every day. So you can come see the bands where you have 100 bagpipers and drummers playing all in sync and marching down the entry for the grand mast bands,” says Clarke.

The Scottish Games and Celtic Festival has grown since its first year.

It was once held in Pebble Beach thanks to a group of local “Scots” looking to celebrate their heritage.

The teachings of which are being passed on to the little ones who spent their Thursday helping with the set-up process as well.

“We got em out here workin hard so they can learn how to do it. They go back to school next week and this is a great last ditch effort before they go back to school.”