The third annual Great Basin Scottish Highland Games are returning to Sparks on Saturday and Sunday, September 13 and 14, offering families a chance to experience Scottish culture and tradition.
Presented by the Northern Nevada Throwing Company, the event celebrates Scottish heritage through heavy athletics, cultural performances, and community activities.
The games take place at Gandolfo Arena, 2200 Loop Road in Sparks, starting at 8 a.m. each day.
Individual admission ranges from $10 to $30 and includes an event shirt and ticket. Parking is available for $5 per car, with all proceeds benefiting a local high school. Tickets and additional event information are available online by clicking here.
Visitors can watch local and regional athletes compete in heavy athletics events while wearing kilts, see Armored Combat Fighters from the Corkscrew Cattle Company, and enjoy performances by the Sierra Highlanders Bag Pipe Band.
Other highlights include a beard contest, face painting, 26 vendors selling crafts, food, and Scottish merchandise, and genealogy displays exploring the history of Scottish clans.
According to the event website, attendees can also “listen to the soul-stirring sounds of bagpipes, marvel at the Highland Coos, and witness beard competitions that showcase the best facial hair creations.” The Great Basin Scottish Highland Games aim to bring the traditions of the Scottish Highlands to Northern Nevada while providing entertainment for guests of all ages.
Highland games are a centuries-old tradition celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture, featuring sports such as caber tossing and axe throwing, along with music, kilts, and other cultural displays.
