Scottish Games & Gathering Day in Bakersfield
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The Kern County Scottish Games and Gathering took over the Kern County Fairgrounds on Saturday.
The Kern County Scottish Games are back at the fairgrounds for its 27th year.
“I’m putting in the whole 9 yards right here, aye,” said McCloud, a Scottish games mascot.
The City of Bakersfield proclaimed April 20 as Scottish Games Day. A day filled with more than history.
“The Best Highland Games on the Circuit, aye,” said McCloud.
There are nine heavy competitions, including the hammer toss, where athletes test their mettle by tossing a 16-pounder with two hands. The toughest toss comes down to the one-armed distance throw.
There are three different weights: 35 pounds, 42 pounds and the big one at 56 pounds. This is Jacob Ramos’ fourth year competing. He’s attempting to break his distance record with the 56 pounder.
“Threw 26 before, so we’re getting close,” said Jacob Ramos.
The Golden Bough Celtic band founded more than 40 years ago put on a performance on Saturday for all kinds of fans.
Investigators search for answers in homicide of a woman on Universe Avenue
Scotch eggs wrapped in sausage were available for purchase, as well as the famous Welsh cake with or without clotted cream.
“It all revolves around a recipe I brought from Wales, called a Welsh cake, which is a griddled tea cake,” said Denise Carbone, a Welsh baker. “It’s a tradition within Wales and the U.K.”
Welsh Cake has been making cakes daily for 15 years. They’re the number one maker in the nation coming out of Santa Clarita.
Some come for the food, others for the games, but everybody wants to check out the famous fashion attire.
“They used to be 9 yards. You’d have a length of material they would wrap around your whole body,” said John Clark, with C.H. Hutchinson. “Shoulders down to your legs, just to keep you warm all day, and as it got hotter you would peel it off and tuck it in.”
Clark goes to 24 shows a year and sells up to 100 kilts per show.
The 27th Kern County Scottish Games continues Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to officials. Tickets are available at the gate for $20.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
