The Central North Carolina Highland games will be held on Saturday on the campus of Central Children’s Home. Traditional Scottish athletic events like “tossing of the caber” will be demonstrated by skilled athletes from all over, and it’s all for a good cause.
Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the children’s home. And if there happens to be a kilt hanging in your closet, you’re welcome to wear it Saturday. The daylong event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Granville Tourism Director Angela Allen said it will be a fun time to watch and learn.
Tickets are $20 for those 16 and older; those 15 and under are admitted free. Contact event organizers at GamesAnnouncer@gmail.com.
Just what exactly IS a caber? It looks like a telephone pole and it weighs more than 150 pounds. And people toss it in the air and flip it so that it lands perpendicular to the ground. If that sounds a bit much, there’s also the N.C. Sheaf Toss Championship that will take place that day. That event involves throwing a 16-pound bundle of twine over a high bar.
The athletic events won’t be the only draw, however. A number of pipe bands will be performing, incorporating the sounds of bagpipes with drums and precision marching.
“If music and movement is your thing then you’ll want to take in the Celtic dance exhibition,” Allen said. “We’ve all heard of Riverdance. This will give you a chance to see individual dancers up close as they present traditional steps and dances,” she added.
There will be plenty of food and drink on hand throughout the day as well.
Visit www.visitgranvillenc.com for the schedule of events. The children’s home is located at 211 W. Antioch Dr., Oxford.