This just in from the Spokane Highland Games. Any competition that includes gauntlets gets our vote of approval. Don’t miss it:
Spokane’s Scottish and Irish Tug Of War Held During Highland Games
Spokane’s Scottish and Irish community will compete for the Gilded Haggis Trophy on Saturday, August 7th, during the Spokane Highland Games at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center . The winner of the first ever Tug O’ War event will determine who goes home with the trophy.
The St. Andrew’s Society and Spokane Highland Games Association challenged the Spokane Limerick Sister City Society and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick to a Scottish style TUG O’ WAR at a public taunting and throw of the gauntlet on July 7, 2010 at the downtown Irish stronghold, O’Doherty’s Irish Grille. The Irish rose to the challenge and accepted.
The Spokane Highland Games is held every year on the first Saturday in August, from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm at the Spokane County Fair and Expo, 404 N. Havana . This Scottish festival celebrates the traditions of Highland dance, bagpipe and drumming exhibitions, and Heavy Athletic competitions, along with Claymore sword demonstrations, historical reenactments, and Scots Gaelic classes. Children’s “Braveheart style” face painting and games begin at 1 PM. Celtic merchants and clan tents can be visited and blacksmith, cattle, and sheepdog demonstrations will be held. A Ceilidh (party) will be held after the closing ceremonies of the games from 6 to 8 pm. Adult tickets are $8, $5 seniors and youth, $3 ages 4-10 and under 4 get in free. For more information, visit www.spokanehighlandgames.org or call (509) 922-3661.
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Tug of War Background information:
Tug of war, also known as rope-pulling, is a sport that directly puts two opposing teams against each other in a test of strength. This activity may also be used as a metaphor to demonstrate a rivalry between two opposing groups, such as a little friendly competition between two companies or organizations. Tug of War has been an organized sport for many years and was included in the modern Olympics from 1900 to 1920. Tug of War International Federation is working with the International Olympic Committee to bring the competition back in the 21st Century. As an international sport, the competitions are highly regulated with proper dress, boots, rope and markings, pulling surfaces, and drug testing.
Our exhibition pull, for fun and fellowship, will be held at the Main Stage right after the Opening Ceremonies. The Irish Captain, Tim O’Doherty, will add great weight and stamina to the team and Kerry Lynch, president of the Spokane Limerick Sister City , is calling all the strong the Irish lassies. The Spokane Highland Games Chair, Steven Schneider, says, “We, however, have powerful athletes training all year.” What are they pulling for? Fame, Glory, and the fabled Gilded Haggis Trophy, which the winner will keep on display until the next year’s pull. Be ready when the Judge yells “PULL!”
Reference:
www.scottishtugofwar.com, www.tugofwar-twif.org, and youtube for awesome videos
