501(c)(3) Benefits For Fallen Heroes is hosting the return of the Scottish Highland Games Heavy Athletics at the 38th Annual Calaveras Celtic Faire March 8 - 10, 2024. BFFH from Livermore, CA, assists first responders, their families and veterans in the Bay Area in need of help (also sponsors the Veterans Games at Las Positas College in Livermore). Friday March 8th will be a demonstration of the Highland Heavy Athletics for invited spectators, this is a good opportunity for athletes to get in a practice before their competition. Saturday and Sunday March 9th & 10th will be nine competition events during the festival. There will be 6 athlete classes of 10 spots each (capped at 60 athletes per day) on Saturday and Sunday. Athletes will receive an Athlete Celtic Faire t-shirt and other gifts. The throwing events will take place in the lower half of the fairgrounds (livestock area) and there is a designated special gate for athletes to drive through. Athletes and family/friends are encouraged to enjoy the Celtic Faire as there is lots to do and see from live Celtic music, whisky tasting, jousting, living history and more. Come have an amazing and memorable time.

Saturday Classes: Men's B & C, Men's Masters 40+ & 50+, Women's B & C

Sunday Classes: Men's Lightweight, Women's Lightweight, Women's Masters 40+, Women's Masters 50+, Men's & Women's A  

Competition will consist of the following nine events:

Open Stone, Braemar Stone, Heavy & Light Hammers, Heavy & Light Weight for Distance, Caber, Weight over Bar & Sheaf.

Athletes must participate in all events to qualify for the aggregate awards. 

Aggregate ties will be broken by number of 1st, 2nd, etc in individual events. If still tied, Caber score will determine place.

Exhibition Events (if weather gets bad): Farmers Carry, Stone Lift, Tug-of-War, Axe Throwing, Truck Pull, Hay-Stack Race.

The weather will be cold and possibly wet so dress appropriately. In the event a storm or tornado comes in, the games will be halted and athletes will move to Exhibition Events in covered arena. You are welcome to bring your own pop up tent, food, drinks, supplements etc. You should expect to be competing until 5:00 P.M. as we are there to entertain the crowd also.

Camping is permitted. Tents must be a canopy pop up tent or medieval like tent or TP, not a regular camping tent unless a tarp is thrown over it to make it somehow look medieval. Trailers are also allowed but there are no hook ups (electrical, sewage, water etc.). 

If by March 1st fewer than 4 applications are received for a given class, said class will be eliminated and athletes may be asked to choose a different class for competition.

Applications may be accepted after March 5th (t-shirts may not be available), including field registration on a space available basis determined by Athletic Director.

Pre-registration fees for athletic competition: $40 with a shirt (plus small processing fee). 

Any application received after March 6th, ticket fee will be $45.

Athletes will use back gate to athletic field (just follow the signs when you arrive). Payment for parking is yet to be determined.

Athletes will receive 2 free beer tickets and a front of the line pass for lunch (lunch is not provided (yet)).

Winners 1st place through 3rd place in each class will receive awards. Certificates will be emailed to athletes after their competition (due to weather).

Registrations are non-refundable and non-transferable. 

Rules:

Competition will be conducted in accordance to SHA rules.

Athletes must be 18 years or older to compete. 

All athletes must wear the official games shirt provided and kilt (with undergarments) during competition.

Check-in time for all athletes begins at 8:15 am at the Heavy Events field tent and will close promptly at 8:45 am.

Competition starts promptly at 9:00 am Athlete Meeting 8:55 (Weigh-in at scoring table during check-in. They may be done earlier if a judge is available.)

Positive attitudes only.

For questions contact Josh Laine, Athletic Director, (925)321-0373 or [email protected]