Let us be thankful for Scotland. Land of bagpipes, kilts and golf. Land of
attitude, accent and Sean Connery. And land of some unique forms of sport, almost
all of which involve throwing something heavy. (Dwarf-tossing is allegedly an
Australian invention, but don't forget that many an Aussie has Scottish ancestors.)
You can check out several of these heavyweight sports at this weekend's Houston
Highland Games and Celtic Festival. Of course, the event features a hammer throw,
which is an Olympic sport. But this summer in Athens, you're not likely to see
a sheaf toss, in which sheaves of hay wrapped in burlap are tossed by pitchfork-wielding
Scotsmen over a crossbar suspended between two tall poles. Then there's the
caber toss, where guys throw a telephone pole (or caber) so it lands upright
on its end. Other weights and stones will be hurled using different methods,
hopefully not resulting in too many thrown-out backs. In the meantime, there's
dancing, fiddling, kilt-fitting and shortbread cooking. Note: At the games,
be careful not to call anyone a "tosser." 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May
15; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 16. Houston Farm and Ranch Club at Bear Creek
Park, 1 Abercrombie. For information, call 281-498-5746 or visit
www.houstonhighlandgames.com.
$5 to $12.
-- Eric Norvell
His or Hernias
The bulging biceps, the chiseled quads, the veins jutting like worms through
massive forearms -- damn that's hot! Normally fodder for Saturday-afternoon
ESPN, bodybuilding championships can be so ten-years-ago, what with people lifting
cars now to strut their strength. Which gives the 2004 Lee Labrada Physique
Tournament quite a bit of charm. Not just for refrigerator-sized guys with receding
hairlines and hernia belts, the event includes women's, men's, teens' and even
seniors' classes. Sure, it may be unsettling seeing Grandpa showing off his
shiny orange pecks, but there'll be fitness experts, trainers and plenty of
buff bodies around to keep you occupied. (Just try not to flex when the cuties
walk by -- we're on to you). 9 a.m. Saturday, May 15. George R. Brown Convention
Center, 1001 Avenida de las Americas. For information, call 800-832-9948 or
visit www.labrada.com. $9.50 to $55. --
Steven Devadanam
