Free Family Fun at Annual Clover Scottish Games & Scotch-Irish Festival in Clover, SC

On Saturday June 2nd from 9 AM- 4 PM you are invited to attend the annual Clover Scottish Games & Scotch-Irish Festival in Clover SC . This is a one day event.
The clans will be well represented by the following:

"Clan Anderson"
Contact Person
Mike & Betty Kuykendall
1229 Golf Course Drive
Gastonia NC 28054
"Clan Cambell"
Contact Person
David Caimbeul
PO Box 14367
Charleston SC 29422
" Clan Donald, USA"
Contact Person
Charles L Safrit
328 Pearleman Teague Rd
Siler City NC 27344
" Clan Donnachaidh Society of the Carolinas"
Contact Person
Mike Stead
605 North Wylie St
Lancaster SC 29720
" Clan Douglas"
Contact Person
Wayne Foster Jr
735 Celsey Rd
Chester SC 29706
"House of Gordon"
Contact Person
David Nichols
2124 Beaver Creek Lane
Aiken SC 29803
"Clan Mackay"
Contact Person
William Roddey
636 Stonewall Court
Rock Hill SC 29730
" Clan Montgomery Society"
Contact Person
Donald Waugh
118 Hill ST.
Haw River NC 27258
" Clan Morrison "
Contact Person
Coit Morrison
PO Box 1022
Clover SC 29702
"Clan Wallace"
Contact Person
Nelson Long
1141 US 64 Highway
Rutherfordton NC 28139
" South Carolina Chapter
Scotch Irish Society of USA"
Contact Person
Sam Thomas
212 East Jefferson St
York SC 29745

Any of these folks can tell you the history of their clan , and help you get started confirming your own clan heritage if any. The Clans alone make this a fun learning experience for the whole family.

Another feature of this event are the Scottish Heavy Athletics Events these games have not changed much in hundreds of years & will include the following.

1) The Clachneart or Stone Throw
Similar to modern Shotput using a stone 16-28 lbs The stone must be thrown from the front of the shoulder with one hand only, each competitor is allowed a 7ft 4inch run up to the point of the throw marked by a toeboard or trig. He is judged on the best of 3 (longest distance) throws, If they touch top of trig or ground in front of it that throw is disqualified.
2) The 28lb and 56lb wieght throw.
Using metal wieghts with a chain & handle attached contestants throw one handed for distance. Contestant is allowed a 9 ft run up to the trig (see above) any style throw is allowed most popular is to spin like a disk thrower.
3) The 56 lb Weight Toss
Object is to toss a 56lb weight one with attached handle one handed over a horizontal bar contest continues until all but one is eliminated & bar is raised at each round.
4) The Hammer Throw
The Scottish Hammer is a rounded metal hammer with a cane shaft weighs 16-22 Lbs and is thrown for distance with each competitor throwing the hammer with his back to the throwing area & trig. The athletes feet may not move until after the throw & he is not allowed to touch top of trig or ground in front of it. He is judged on the best of 3 throws.
5) The Sheaf Toss
This is an elimination event with horizontal bar raised in 1 -2 ft increments after each round. Con testants are given a 3 tine pitchfork & must toss a 16 Lb burlap bag filled with hay over the bar. They are allowed 3 attempts each round & rounds continue until only one person left.
6) Tossing the Caber
This is the heart of the modern Highland Games where ever held.

The caber is a tapered log 19 ft long & weighing 100-130 Lbs. The contestant hoists the caber up folds his hands under the end & cradles it against his shoulder, after finding the balance point contestant runs to build momentum then heaves the caber up & over to ground its heavy opposite end letting it fall forward.Scoring is done by treating the caber as the hand of a clock. 12 o'clock position a perfect throw, 11 fell a bit to the left 2 far to the rightetc. Points are deducted for the farther from 12 the caber falls.

In addition to all this there are border collie demonstrations of herding using Sheep,ducks,& goats with the dogs responding to verbal & Non verbal cues.
There are bagpipe bands, Celtic vocal music old & new,Traditional celtic dance. Foods from Scotland & Ireland and venders selling the perfect unique gift items.There are also games for the kids.

Clover SC is located on 321 South not far from the North Carolina border, in addition to the "Games" there are many fine museums, state & federal parks in the area making it a must see destination at any time of year.