GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The whining sounds of bagpipes and the thundering booms of drums echoed throughout the Cattlemen’s Arena Saturday morning as the Northeast Florida Scottish Highland Games and Festival officially kicked off at the Clay County Fairgrounds.
Men proudly marched in their red or green kilts, many wearing sneakers and the pattern specific plaids of their clans.
More than 1,000 attended the games. They ate Scottish fare, watched traditional Scottish athletic events like weight throw, Scottish hammer, stone put, caber and sheaf toss, listened to live music and danced.
Children got their faces painted, jumped in bounce houses, participated in a treasure hunt, learned about Scottish animals like Heilan Coos, Dumpy chickens, Scottish Ducks, Shetland Ponies and Clydesdales, road on miniature trains, played games and visited a play area.
Adults tasted beer and wine, practiced their axe throwing and archery, highland dancing, heard Scottish history and explored their clan history.
The Scottish Games will return to the fairgrounds next year on Feb. 27.