Sean C. Morgan
Highland games organizers Bob Teter and games founder Greg Downs are already working on next year?s event.
The annual Highland Games and Clan Gathering is held the last weekend of August. This year, the one-day event drew about 500 persons at the front gate and 600 to 700 visitors overall.
?Greg?s already getting things in the works already,? Teter said. ?Both of us are already making contacts for next year.
?We?ve also got some people talking about doing more things next year.?
The Society for Creative Anachronisms reported being happy with this year?s event, Teter said. He hopes their encampment will grow next year.
The SCA had a small encampment south of the rodeo arena where members demonstrated medieval fighting, archery, coin making, clothes making and weaving.
Next year, Teter wants to set aside an area just for children.
The pipe bands had a good time, Teter said, and people enjoyed having the bands walk together for the March of Clans.
Downs is working on another headline concert act, a group out of California, Teter said. The festival opened Friday night with a concert provided by traditional Scottish singer Isla St. Clair. Teter and Downs would like to make that a regular feature of the event.
?Highland wrestling turned out really well, and that will definitely grow,? Teter said.
The Oregon Scottish Society reported signing up a large number of new members at the game, and some clans reported signing up even more new members than they do at some larger games.
Total, the festival had 18 clans, with 15 represented in booths.
?I was happy with a lot of things,? Teter said. Despite hang-ups on Friday with lighting and getting things started, ?it ran more smoothly than it has in the past.?
Teter and Downs had more people helping, and the event drew more people from out of town than in town.
Teter wanted to extend ?thanks to all volunteers and agencies that helped us out,? he said. ?It wasn?t our biggest in terms of attendance, but I think it was our most successful? based on quality.
The next step in preparing for next year, Teter and Downs want to establish a local Celtic society, with a committee to help with the festival, and secure sponsors to build a larger advertising budget.
They will begin forming the society when Downs returns from active duty in the National Guard, getting the process going by the end of this month.
For more information on getting involved, persons may call Teter at 367-6421 or Downs at 367-4591.
Overall winners
Women: Kaelyne Mowell, first.
Novice: Kirk Kostyshak, first; David Walters, second; Earnie Stockman, third.
Amateur: Josh Paul, first; Jeff McNeal, second; Chester Miller, third.
Open: Kelly Poole, first; and Clint Hess, second.
Novice
Caber Toss: Sean Huber, first; Stockman, second; Cody Sanders, third. Braemer Stone: Kostyshak, first, 29?1?; Stockman, second, 28?2?; Walters, third, 27?8?. Sweet Home Stone: Jason Lyons, first, 10?4?; Walters, second, 10?; Kostyshak, third, 9?9?. Light Weight for Distance: Kostyshak, first, 38?7?; Walters, second, 37?10?; Stockman, 36?9?. Heavy Weight for Distance: Kostyshak, first, 25?11?; Walters, 23?6?; Stockman, 22?11?. Heavy Hammer: Kostyshak, first, 62?5?; Walters, second, 53?8?; Lyons, third, 49?. Farmer?s Walk: Stockman, first, 28 seconds; Walters, second, 33 seconds; Kostyshak, third, 37 seconds. Light Hammer: Kostyshak, 77?9?; Lyons, second, 70?3?; Walters, third, 66?7?.
Amateur
Caber Toss: Miller, first, 12:15 o?clock; McNeal, second, 1 o?clock; Paul, third, 2:30 o?clock. Braemer Stone: Paul, first, 27?10?; McNeal, second, 26?8?; Miller, third, 24?4?. Sweet Home Stone: Paul, first, 11?6?; McNeal, second, 11?3?; Miller, third, 10?2?. Light Weight for Distance: Paul, first, 52?3?; McNeal, second, 35?8?; Miller, third, 33?10?. Heavy Weight for Distance: Paul, first, 33?1 ??; Miller, second, 24?4 ?; McNeal, third, 21?8?. Heavy Hammer: Paul, first, 62?6?; McNeal, second, 52?6?; Miller, third, 46?7?. Farmer?s Walk: McNeal, 32 seconds; Paul, second, 160?6?; Miller, 125?4?. Light Hammer: Paul, first, 78?8?; McNeal, second, 69?6?; Miller, third, 60?9?.
Open
Caber Toss: Poole, first, 80 degrees; Hess, second, 50 degrees. Light Hammer: Poole, first, 83?7?; Hess, second, 66?1?. Heavy Hammer: Poole, first, 68?1?; Hess, second, 52?. Braemer Stone: Hess, first, 34?1?; Poole, second, 32?. Sweet Home Stone: Hess, first, 10?10?; Poole, second, 10?9?. Light Weight for Distance: Poole, first, 49?6?; Hess, 42?6?. Heavy Weight for Distance: Poole, first, 32?9?; Hess, second, 30?3?. Farmer?s Walk: Poole, first, 30 seconds; Hess, second, 178 feet.
2004 Wee Highlander Games Results
Four to six years old
Marshall Teter overall winner.
Caber Toss (five feet, 12 pounds): Marshall Teter of Sweet Home, first; Morgan Scott of Springfield, second; and Haylee Stockman of Sweet Home, third. Stone Throw (three pounds): Marshall Teter of Sweet Home, first; Haylee Stockman of Sweet Home, second; and Morgan Scott of Springfield, third. Creek Jump: Haylee Stockman of Sweet Home, first; Marshall Teter of Sweet Home, second; and Evan Teter of Sweet Home, third.
Seven to eight years old
Robbie Johnston overall winner.
Caber Toss (five feet, 12 pounds): Vanessa Wodtli of Sweet Home, first; Rebecca Dees of Puyallup, Wash., second; and Tristan Stockman of Sweet Home, third. Stone Throw (three pounds): Robbie Johnston of Salem, first; Tristan Stockman of Sweet Home, second; and Vanessa Wodtli of Sweet Home, third. Creek Jump: Robbie Johnston of Salem, first; Tristan Stockman of Sweet Home, second; and Vanessa Wodtli of Sweet Home, third.
Nine to 10 years old
Scottie Stockman overall winner.
Caber Toss (6 feet, 20 pounds): Caroline Dees of Puyallup, Wash., first; Charles Johnston of Salem, second; and Kyle Wodtli of Sweet Home, third. Stone Throw (five pounds): Scottie Stockman of Sweet Home, first; Jon Walters of Sweet Home, second; and Charles Johnston of Salem, third. Creek Jump:Scottie Stockman of Sweet Home, first; Charles Johnston of Salem, second; and Kaitlin Cruscial of Salem, third.