BELFAST — The Belfast waterfront was the backdrop for the Maine Celtic Celebration’s Highland Heavy Games July 20.

Anyone was allowed to compete, experienced or not, as long as they paid a $10 entry fee. The event started at 9 a.m. and concluded shortly after 3 p.m.

Competitions included the Scottish Hammer Throw, Caber Toss, Open Stone Put, Heavy Weight Throw and Weight Over the Bar. (Full descriptions below.)

Overall divisional winners were Dirk Bishop (Masters), Rob Meulenberg (Amateur) and Allison Tostevin (Women).

Admission into the festival was free, which included Celtic music all day, food and vendors, games for kids and a cheese roll. The event relied on donations, and contributions help fund this year's celebration, as well as future celebrations. 

COMPETITION DESCRIPTIONS
 

• Scottish Hammer Throw — A heavy metal ball (12/16 pounds for women, 16/22 pounds for men) is attached to a four-foot wooden shaft. With both feet in fixed position, the athlete whirls the hammer overhead and then tosses it forward in an attempt to reach a longer distance than any hammers thrown by other competitors.

• Caber Toss — Probably the event best known to symbolize the Highland Heavy Games. In his or her hands, the athlete holds up and balances a long tapered pine poll, then runs forward and launches the caber and tries to flip it end over end the longest distance, relative to a straight "12 o'clock" path.

• Open Stone Put — Similar to a shot put, yet with a heavy stone as the object being thrown. (8-12 pounds for women, 16-22 pounds for men). The stone can be thrown by any method as long as the toss begins with the stone in one hand cradled in the athlete's neck before being tossed the longest possible distance.

• Heavy Weight Throw — The weights are metal with handles attached, thrown with one hand by the athlete, some putting a spin on their toss. Weights included 28 pounds for women, 42 pounds for males competing in the masters division, and a similar throw with weights not quite so heavy (14 pounds for women, 28 pounds for men). Again, the longest throw is the winner.

• Weight Over the Bar — The athlete heaves a very heavy weight (56 pounds, or 4 stones) over a horizontal bar. Each competitor gets three tries, and those who are successful move to the next level in raising the bar until only one is left. 

See complete coverage on the Celtic Festival Event Page 

This post was last updated July 20 at 11:00 p.m.