Tune up the bagpipes and fasten the kilt pin, the annual Glasgow Highland Games open with high steppin’ fun when Barren River Lake State Resort Park hosts the 2010 and 25th anniversary event on June 3 – 6 near Glasgow, Kentucky.  

New this year is the addition of the North American Team Scottish Games Athletics (NASGA) championship competitions between Team USA and Team Canada. The American team is lead by Kentuckian Kerry Overfelt who is the 2009 North American Scottish Athletics Champion and the current All-American Champion.   Hammer toss, stone throw (for distance and weight), caber (telephone pole) toss, and Braemar stone throw are just a few of the mega feats that are among the contests.  

The connection between the Bluegrass State and our feisty Celtic cousins runs deep.  Early Scottish settlers made their way here following Daniel Boone’s path into the 1700’s wilderness.  Vestiges of the rich culture and clan names run throughout present-day Kentucky.  

Gerry van der Meer, commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Parks, said the park is the perfect location for the annual games.  “The kinship shared with Scotland is all around us—from the strains and melodies of country music to names of cities and towns across the state.  What a fun time to get immersed in the culture.”

This year’s events open at 8 p.m., Thursday, June 3, with Celtic rock bands Seven Nations and Needlefire playing in the big tent.  From then on events include traditional Celtic music, the Tartan Ball, sheep herding dogs, historic re-enactments, rugby, food, pipe and drum corps and the “Ladies’ Haggis Toss.”  The festival schedule and other information from beginning to end, is on the website www.GlasgowHighlandGames.com or call 270-651-3141.   

This anniversary celebration includes pipe and drum band competition, highland and country dancing and more athletic contests.  Other highlights include authentic Scottish goods and foods for sale and genealogy seminars to trace your Scottish roots. 

Family fun is wall-to-wall and the event attracts thousands each year.  

Barren River Lake State Resort Park opened in the mid-1960’s overlooking a 10,000 acre lake with a boat dock and marina. The area was known for open grasslands called the “barrens,” which covered this area of south-west Kentucky in contrast to heavily forested terrain elsewhere.  The park includes a lodge that features the Driftwood Restaurant, cabins and camping.  The park is located at 1149 State Park Road in Lucas, just outside of Glasgow in Kentucky’s cave country.            

Phone the park at 270-646-2151 or toll free at 800-325-0057 and directions are on the Kentucky Department of Parks website at www.parks.ky.gov. 

Since 1976, NASGA has promoted Scottish Heavy Events competition throughout North America.  It works with athletes, judges, officials, and others interested in the sports genre.  The championship at Barren River State Resort Park received support from the Kentucky Sports Authority. 

Kentucky State Parks are made up of 52 state parks plus one shared with Virginia. The Ky. Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates the most developed system in the nation.  Each year these parks draw millions of visitors and generate hundreds of millions for Kentucky’s economy. For more information about amenities, events and more, visit and bookmark the web site www.parks.ky.gov