The purpose of the Caledonian Games Association is "to preserve and perpetuate Scottish social manners and customs" as sited in the 1899 Constitution of the Caledonian Society of Umatilla County; and to illuminate the city of Athena and its heritage. Our shared vision is to sponsor the Caledonian Games, a Scottish Heritage Festival with games, events, entertainment, music, food and dancing that are founded in the Scottish tradition."
Put a visit to Athena on your calendar for July 2015. Visit their website.These Games have it all: Gathering of the Scottish Clans, Massed Bands, Sheepdog Trials, Celtic World Music Concerts, Heavyweight Scottish Athletics, Highland Dance Competition, Solo Piping & Drumming, & Scottish Harp. And, strawberry shortcake, sausage rolls and shepherd's pie. The athletic events are not for sissies. For the men, a 16 pound hammer throw, a 56 pound weight toss for best height, a caber toss, and the traditional Braemar Stone (a standing put of a 26 pound stone.) The women compete in the same events, but with lighter objects.
My dog and I competed in the sheepdog trial. It was 100 degrees. Unlike those in the Heavyweight Scottish Athletics, I did not have to wear a woolen kilt. My dog was awesome (as were the others). Their job was to move sheep and they did it well. Their reward, a long dip in a water trough. The games went on in the suffocating heat. We actually had a very good time.
After our fun in Athena we drove to Idaho to pick up a new dog for my husband. She was bred on a cattle ranch from working Border Collie stock. She is one year old. Her name is Daisy. We drove home, 700 miles, smiling all the way.
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