Highland Games return with food, music and more

The 65th annual Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering rolls into the city of Enumclaw’s Expo Center Saturday and Sunday.

The 65th annual Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering rolls into the city of Enumclaw’s Expo Center Saturday and Sunday.

These Highland Games, hosted by the Seattle Scottish Highland Games Association, are among the oldest in the United States and is traditionally the largest in Washington state.

Participants will be amazed by the titans who deftly toss the caber or put the stone, delight in the soothing sound of the Celtic harpist, thrill in the bourdon of the bagpipes and the cadence of the drums and behold the grace and elegance of the Scottish dancers.

This year’s list of performers includes some familiar names: Scottish balladeer Alex Beaton, the loud and boisterous Wicked Tinkers, folk artist Colin Grant-Adams and the multi-talented Blackthorn. Also, enjoy for the first time the Celtic trio Brother.

Visitors can stroll through the Avenue of the Clans, delve into Scottish heritage or wind through the Hall of Vendors and the Celtic Marketplace to see the workmanship of Scottish artisans.

Don’t forget to wander through the Scottish farm with shaggy Scotch Highland cattle and Clydesdale horses or the Celtic Kennel and plan to attend the Ceilidh, a traditional Scottish party with music, sing-along, stories and Scottish country dancing Saturday evening.

Gates are open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults per day or a two-day pass is available for $22. Lower prices are available to senior citizens, children and active military. There’s a $5 daily fee for parking.