The event will feature highland dancing, solo piping, cycling, track and field athletic events and inline speed skating, while traditional events include the much-loved caber toss, and gumboot and heavy ball throwing.
Waimate Caledonian Society secretary Bernie Blackgrove is particularly excited about the inline skating events, which will feature de Souza, of France, brothers Krystof and Simon Pravda, of the Czech Republic, and India’s Yogesh Pawar. The first event — children’s athletics — gets under way at 9.30am today.
Waimate staged its first Highland Games in 1875 and they have been held every year since, including during the two world wars.
At that time, Caledonian societies were spread across New Zealand, with athletic festivals held in most towns.
Cash prizes attracted distinguished competitors from across New Zealand and Australia, and crowds flocked to the games.
- Oamaru Mail
