Milwaukee Highland Games return to Wauwatosa's Hart Park

The Milwaukee Highland Games will bring time-honored traditions to Wauwatosa's Hart Park from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, rain or shine.

Founded 77 years ago as an ethnic festival, the Highland Games offer a family-friendly way to experience Scottish highlander traditions through physical feats of strength, dance and music competitions and more.

"People really look forward to the Highland festival as a great tradition," said David Berger, spokesman for the games. More than 3,000 people attend the games from Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Ax throwing and long-bow demonstrations will take place all day, with the heavy athletics competition happening from 10 a.m. to noon, and again from 1 to 4 p.m. Athletic competitors will throw telephone polls in the same way Scots used to throw tree trunks in warrior tests to prove their strength to the Scottish king, said Berger.

Sixteen pipe bands will compete against each other from 1 to 4 p.m. Solo piping will take place from 8 a.m. to noon. Scottish sheep dogs will also demonstrate their sheep herding skills at 1:30 p.m. Berger said Scottish-bred Clydesdale horses, which used to be used for military purposes, also make an appearance at the Highland Games.

Many vendors will be present for people to shop authentic Scottish garb, weapons and collectors items. An ethnic clan area is also available to research family history.

Specialty food such as meat pies, sausage rolls and haggis will be available for purchase. A haggis taco eating content is slated for 2 p.m.

For more information on Scottish fest, visit MilwaukeeScottishFest.com.

IF YOU GO

What: Milwaukee Highland Games

Where: Hart Park, 7300 West Chestnut Street, Wauwatosa, 53213

Cost: $10 adults; free for children 12 and under or active military in uniform

When: Saturday, June 7 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., rain or shine