Invercargill is getting its first Highland Games this October, and entry is free.
The Southern Highland Showdown lands at Ascot Park Hotel on Saturday October 10, bringing a full day of Scottish competition, music and culture to the city. It's a new event, and the organisers are already talking about making it an annual fixture.
ILT corporate sales executive Nikki Buckley said the work from a small organising committee had been significant. "The support of some amazing local organisations like the ILT City of Invercargill Highland Pipe Band, Glengarry Highland Dancing, together with the archers, strongmen, wood choppers and medieval enactment group has been incredible. Everyone is working together to make this event successful, fun and entertaining, with the vision that it will become an annual fixture on Invercargill's event calendar."
The programme covers a lot of ground. Highland dancing competitions run throughout the day, organised by Glengarry Highland Dancing. Pipe band displays and competitions — including solo piping, solo drumming and full band performances — will also feature.
For something louder, wood chopping demonstrations kick off at 11am. The strongman competition covers nine events: caber toss, sheaf toss, farmers walk, heavy stone lifting and more. Members of the public can also have a crack at selected strongman events, though a small fee applies for have-a-go activities.
Tug O War teams of eight can enter two divisions — adult and under-17 — with entries closing Friday October 2.
The Kilted Mile is the event most likely to draw a crowd to the sidelines. Competitors run a multi-lap course with a meat pie waiting at the end of lap one, a glass of beer or Irn-Bru at lap two, then a sprint to the finish on lap three. A kilt is compulsory. Entries are open on the day to adults and children alike.
Medieval Scottish battle re-enactments and archery displays round out the heritage side of things, while a free bouncy castle keeps younger visitors occupied.
Food and drink options include Scottish fare, local favourites, sweet treats, whisky tasting and Irn-Bru.
Full schedule and competition entry details are at shsoct.nz.