The Bitterroot Valley Highland Games was held on Saturday in Stevensville at Lewis and Clark Park. This is the first event for many of the kilted athletes for the season. Organized by Garrett Middleton, who competes all over the western United States, this inaugural event was a fund raiser for the Valley Veterans Association, and featured all the games associated with Highland Games – sheaf toss, hammer throw, stone put, weight per height, and of course, the caber toss.
The event was also a clinic with the athletes helping groups of children at each event. Middleton had even made pared down pieces for the kids to use while learning how to throw them. The caber, instead of being about 20 feet long and weighing around 150 pounds, was abut 4 feet long and weighed about 15 pounds. (There were even smaller cabers for the wee children.)In addition to the games, there were bagpipes and even a surprise mini concert by the valley’s own Chip Jasmine.
There will be another day of Highland Games on May 30th at Corvallis High School. It will be hosted by the Bitterroot Scottish American Athletic Association.
Shown is Grant Snook, eight years old, throwing the caber.