Stone Mountain Highland Games

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Each year the meadow at Stone Mountain Park is transformed as people come from all over to compete in the annual Stone Mountain Highland Games. Tests of strength, beauty and grace are performed throughout the weekend. Athletes do the heavy lifting with the hammer throw, the weight throw and weight toss, The Stone of Strength (featuring a little piece of Stone Mountain), the sheaf toss and, probably most iconically, the caber toss. There are also competitions for dancing, harping and pipe & drum bands. The sounds of the bagpipes echoed through the woods as I walked from place to place checking out everything. This was my first year at the event, one that I have wanted to check out for a very long time. It definitely did not disappoint!

Josh Sharp competes in the sheaf toss during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Josh Sharp competes in the sheaf toss during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Eric Frasure warms up for the caber competition during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Eric Frasure warms up for the caber competition during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Justin Blatnik tosses an 18 foot log into the air as he competes in the caber competition during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Justin Blatnik tosses an 18 foot log into the air as he competes in the caber competition during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Aaron George tosses an 18 foot log into the air as he competes in the caber competition during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Aaron George tosses an 18 foot log into the air as he competes in the caber competition during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Hali (right), a red tailed hawk, spreads its wings as Alan Drury takes a photo with Suzanne Manlapas during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Hali (right), a red tailed hawk, spreads its wings as Alan Drury takes a photo with Suzanne Manlapas during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

McKenna Lindsay (right) performs in the dancing competition during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

McKenna Lindsay (right) performs in the dancing competition during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Isobel Lyttle (right), Caleigh Santamaria and Ava Smith are judged during the dancing competition during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Isobel Lyttle (right), Caleigh Santamaria and Ava Smith are judged during the dancing competition during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Kayli Robb performs in the dancing competition during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Kayli Robb performs in the dancing competition during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Neil Bills (right) and Cameron Drury warm up before competing during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Neil Bills (right) and Cameron Drury warm up before competing during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Caitlin Lucas (right) helps her son Rohan play a game of golf during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Caitlin Lucas (right) helps her son Rohan play a game of golf during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Tristan Rogers (left) and Cayson Kostas go fishing during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Tristan Rogers (left) and Cayson Kostas go fishing during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Wyatt DeSaussure (left) lifts a shovel over his shoulder during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Wyatt DeSaussure (left) lifts a shovel over his shoulder during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Danger Brown walks down the Forrest of Tartan during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Danger Brown walks down the Forrest of Tartan during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Britton Leitch competes in the open stone event during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Britton Leitch competes in the open stone event during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Davey Lewis launches a weight over his head during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Davey Lewis launches a weight over his head during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Justin Blatnik launches a stone into the air as he competes in the open stone event during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Justin Blatnik launches a stone into the air as he competes in the open stone event during the 43rd annual Highland Games at Stone Mountain Park on Saturday, October 17, 2015.