Highland Games
The 27th Annual Highland Games & Gatherings will be held at
The Kern County Fairgrounds on April 20-21, 2024
scroll below to obtain vendor/volunteer/sponsor/clan/piping & drumming competition forms
Tickets now available at Eventbright!
Welcome to the 27th Annual Kern County Scottish Games & Gathering! (April 20-21, 2024)
Scotland's development, not unlike that of our United States, had influences from different cultures. The native Picts, Irish, Brits, Norsemen, French and Romans all etched their mark in the land of our ancestors. You will notice this as you make your way through the clan tents, taste the delicious foods, marvel as great feats of strength and endurance are performed, and tap your toes as you listed to a variety of Celtic music. All are truly magical!
The members of the Kern County Scottish Society along with other volunteers have devoted countless hours in order to bring this family-friendly and educational event to Bakersfield. This is a labor of love and we greatly appreciate your patronage!
YOUR SPONSORSHIP HELPS MAKE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE! - THANK YOU!
Please download the form and mail it to
The Kern County Scottish Society,
P.O. Box 41202, Bakersfield, CA 93384-1202
Or make a tax-deductible donation! Both are greatly appreciated,
we cannot continue without your help and support!
APPRECIATION TO OUR 2024 SPONSORS
San Joaquin Collision - McIntosh & Associates Engineering Group - Kern County Fair and Event Center -
JoRonCo Rentals - ABM Print Shop - Total Beverage Solutions - Leo Hinds Attorney CPA -
Synchrony Medical Group - Comfort Suites and KUZZ Buck Owens Productions -
THANK YOU!
PLANNED ENTERTAINMENT
Times/dates/locations subject to change
GAZEBO STAGE
Katie Jane Band
Saturday - 9:30 AM and 2:00 PM
Sunday - 9:30 AM and 12:15 PM
BUILDING 2
Mayde In Ireland
Saturday - 10:00 AM and 2:00:PM
Sunday - 10:25 AM and 1:10 PM
BUILDING 3
Banshee In The Kitchen
Saturday 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM
Sunday - 10:15 AM and 1:00 PM
Suzanne Hansen (Highland Dancer)
Saturday - 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM
Pure Drop Band
Saturday - 11:00 AM and 3:00:PM
Sunday - 9:30 AM and 12:15 PM
Craic In The Stone
Saturday - 1:00 PM and 4:00:PM
Sunday - 11:15 AM and 2:00 PM
Rusty Bawls
Saturday 1:00 PM
Sunday 10:30 AM
Wrenwood Sessions
Saturday - 1:00 PM and 4:00:PM
Sunday - 11:20 AM and 2:05 PM
Whisky Galore
Saturday - 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM
Golden Bough
Saturday - 11:00 AM and 3:45 PM
Sunday - 11:15 and 2:00 PM
Kern County Pipe Band and/or Kern County Fire Pipe and Drums
Sunday 12:15 PM - BUILDING 3
TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Scottish Heavy Athletics Field
SATURDAY and SUNDAY
Check Athletic Field for Times
Stones and Weight - Light
Stones and Weight - Heavy
Hammers - Light
Hammers - Heavy
Weight Over the Bar
Caber Toss
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
Sat. 10a, 12p, 2p, and Sun. 10a, 12p, 2p, - Herding Dog Demonstration
10:30 and 1:30 ( K.C. LANE AND MAIN ST) Raptor Events Birds of Prey
Walking Throughout The Event World's Tallest Scotsman
PIPE BANDS Playing Throughout the Day
Every Hour and Half Hour --Archery Demonstration
The Queen and Her Court - Saturday Building 3 at 1:00 PM Queen's Tea
Sat. 1:00pm - 3:00pm / Sun. 12:00 - 2:00 Special appearance by Merida from BRAVE
Piping & Drumming Events Information & Reservations - click here
Vendor Forms
Great food, music & merchandise help make this event a fun experience! We Want You to Come Aboard!
Download the contract and reservation form, fill out information
and send it with your payment to
The Kern County Scottish Society, P.O. Box 41202, Bakersfield, CA 93384-1202.
Merchandise Vendor Reservation Form
Merchandise Vendor Contract Form
Food Vendor Reservation Form
Food Vendor Contract Form
Clan Tent ReservationForms
Download the clan reservation for If you would like to participate as a Clan Convener at the Games. Fill out information and send it with your payment to
The Kern County Scottish Society, P.O. Box 41202, Bakersfield, CA 93384-1202.
Our Games Volunteers
Thank you to our Volunteers!
Without your help, we would not have a successful event each & every year.
We truly appreciate your time and commitment!
Nancy Y
Karen A
Jenny A
Denis K
Kristel P
Diana M
Rhonda I
Rhonda P
Dale N
Stephanie L
Ed L
Ina G
Mary E
William M
Jeff K
Mary E. R
Joe I
Michael & Kelly P
Carol G
Bob M
Geoffrey D
Desiree D
Edwin & Lisa C
Annie V
Jake & Crystal B
Robert H
Lucas W
John D
John C
26th Annual
Scottish Highland Games & Gatherings,
April 2023.
Image courtesy of Jay-ar Ignacio, follow him on instagram@jr_ignacio_image
Click the photo to view more images
TOSSING THE CABER
The caber toss has come to almost symbolise the Highland games and no gathering anywhere in the world would be complete without it.
In the caber toss, a full length log, usually made of Scots pine, is stood upright and lifted by the competitor using both hands under the bottom of the caber to rest against their body. The competitor then runs forward, building momentum, before tossing the caber into the air so that it turns end over end with the upper end landing before the end originally held by the competitor follows through and hits the ground.
The aim is for the caber to land in line with the original run. If it is straight the toss is said to be in the 12 o'clock position. Competitors are judged on how closely their toss lands to 12 o'clock.
HAMMER THROW
The hammer throwing event features a hammer made from a metal ball weighing around 22 lb for men or 16 lb for women, attached to a wooden pole or handle.
Participants use the handle to whirl the hammer around their head and then throw it as far as they can.
SHOT PUT
The shot put is a favourite at all good Highland Games. Competitors throw a large stone of around 20 - 26lbs in weight as far as they can. The stone is thrown either after a short run-up to the toeboard or from a fixed standing position, depending on the rules of the competition. The contestant who throws the furthest wins.
WEIGHT FOR HEIGHT
Sometimes referred to as 'weight over the bar', this game requires competitors to throw a weight over a raised bar. The object thrown is a 25.4kg (56lb) weight with a handle at the end of a short bar which must be thrown using just one hand. With each successful attempt, the bar is raised higher and higher, eliminating the contestants one by one. American Dan Williams broke the record in 2014 with a throw of 6.17m (20ft 3in).
TUG O'WAR
The tug o'war is one of the most fiercely contested competitions at the Highland Games. This involves eight men pulling against another team of eight, coached by an additional member of the team who shouts encouragement and instructions to spur them on to pull their opposite number across the line. Well worth a watch at any Highland Games.
Thank you to "Visit Scotland" for this information. Please click here to visit their site