Scottish games underway in Davenport

Ever seen a guy in a skirt throw a telephone pole? That’s what it may look like to the untrained eye, but the caber toss is one of the popular “games of strength” being highlighted today at the Celtic-Highland Games of the Quad Cities. Lisa Lockheart is co-organizing the event in Davenport.While many people may recognize the Scottish caber toss, there are other traditional games underway, including the hammer throw, the sheath toss, and the chucking of various weights of stones. Lockheart says another competition underway today focuses not on strength but on music.There are 14 bagpipe bands taking part this year, in addition to solo pipers, and all will come together at the day’s end for one big pipe-and-drum band for an incredible, colorful and loud spectacle. Lockheart says Scottish and Celtic dancers will also be competing today.The festival is underway today only at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport. For more information, surf to “www.celtichighlandgames.org”.