Kootenai Highland Games fast approaching

Iron your kilts and sharpen your pitchforks: the Kootenai Highland Gathering is back on for the ninth year running.

The event, which is set to run from July 16-17, will feature traditional celtic games, vendors and representatives from Irish and Scottish clans.

Dee Teske, one of the event directors, is expecting a record turnout. Last year, participants from as far as Alaska and Florida flocked to the local gathering at the River Bend Restaurant after other organizers called off their events due to the coronavirus. Hooked by the scenic setting, many of the participants are planning to return to Libby this year with friends, Teske said.

During the gathering’s “meet-n-greet” on July 16, eventgoers can participate in a series of primitive games, including an axe throw, archery contest and a stone throw. Organizers also will put on obstacle courses, tug-of-war matches and a sexy legs contest.

Registration for the highland games opens at 8 a.m. on July 17. As a gathering sanctioned by the Scottish American Athletic Association, the local event allows participants to rack up points that they can then use to enter the world championship highland games. Classes for less experienced athletes mean novices can still participate in the local games.

The competition features a sequence of events — stone put, caber toss, hammer throw, braemar stone, weight for distance, weight for height and sheaf toss — which all test in one way or another how far an athlete can throw, heave or pitchfork a weight.

Last year, Kootenai participants shattered multiple Montana records, Teske said, and two made attempts at a world record.

While their parents concern themselves with heaving and flinging, children can enjoy rides on a hand built train and play on a water slide throughout the day. Less active eventgoers can explore their genealogy with clan representatives or enjoy traditional celtic foods including a Guinness stew.