The Great Caber Caper

Like any peoples throughout history, the Scots have dispersed around the world, and wherever proud Scotsmen and Scotswomen dwell, so lives the centuries-old tradition of the Highland Games. In the United States, the Caledonian Club of San Francisco hosts by far the most-attended games every year, but lucky locals of Scots lineage can be well proud of our St. Louis Scottish Games and Cultural Festival (a wee thing compared to those California Caledonians, but hey, all the more impetus to try harder!). The eighth incarnation of the games takes place in Forest Park near the tennis courts (5620 Grand Drive), commencing Friday, October 1, at 5 p.m. and continuing Saturday, October 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday evening features a torch-lit calling of the Scottish clans and a ceilidh (i.e., good-time party); Saturday sees the heavy games — caber tossing and a tug of war — and many other plaidcentric activities for all ages. Admission is $10 on Friday and $15 on Saturday, and there are money-saving options for two-day passes and family passes. For more info on all the fun call 314-821-1286 or visit www.stlouis-scottishgames.com.
Fri., Oct. 1; Sat., Oct. 2, 2010