Media release for immediate use

Hororata Community Gearing Up for a Huge Scottish Celebration

The Hororata community is gearing up for a huge tartan bash on Saturday 10 November when the Domain becomes the backdrop to a celebration of all things Scottish at the Hororata Highland Games.

The Hororata Domain will be the scene for a Scottish festival of fun, food and spectacular feats of strength when dancers, pipers, bands, and heavies converge on the village for an authentic celebration of all things Celtic. In a role far removed from leadership of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery effort, Hon Gerry Brownlee will oversee the Games in his capacity as Chieftain, leading the opening ceremony at 12.30pm on Saturday 10 November.

Event organiser Anne Hindson has been working alongside a dedicated team of local volunteers to create a memorable day that will appeal to young and old alike. “There will be haggis and Hororata pies, shortbread and salmon, pipers and preserves, dancers and Dundee Cake. We have brought together a whole range of people and performers in an extravaganza that celebrates Scotland and all things Scottish,” Hindson says.

Historically, Highland Games were held to find the strongest body guards and the fittest fighting men to protect villages. The Hororata Games incorporate all the best bits of Scottish culture including the unique and traditional fare, the dancing, the music and the heavies events, all delivered with a special Kiwi twist.

The 2011 Hororata Highland Games launched less than one year on from the first big earthquake. The event was held as a fundraising initiative for the badly damaged Hororata community. The inaugural Games were a huge success involving more than 250 volunteers, 240 participants and attracting more than 8,000 participants. This year the Games are bigger, better and more exciting than before. “The emphasis is on family fun, entertainment and friendly rivalry; all with a Scottish flavour,” Anne Hindson says.

Entertainment highlights include highland dancing, lone pipers, pipe bands, drumming and Scottish heavy athletics events, where internationally acclaimed heavy Pat Hellier, will test his mettle against other local and Australian strong men. Hellier holds 17 titles as New Zealand Highland Games Champion and has represented the country at 13 world events.

Other entertainment features include a Tug o War, a Kilted Mile obstacle race, sheep shearing demonstrations, scurry racing – with ponies and people - a dedicated children’s glen, stalls offering ‘a Taste of Scotland’, and cooking demonstrations.

In addition to all the colourful and polished spectator performances and demonstrations, there will be plenty of rivalry and competition as Scottish dancers, tossers, tuggers and strongmen – and women – pull, push, fling, throw, toss, jump, beat, blow and run in a range of competitive events.

A Hororata variation of the world renowned McGlashen Stones event will see strong men vie for the prize package in a feat of strength where competitors race against the clock to place a series of fiveincreasingly heavy stones on a barrel.

Scarves and ties, crafted from a specially designed Hororata Tartan will be available to purchase, along with specially blended and single malt whisky featuring the Hororata label. Many local businesses will be represented amonst stalls selling clothes, hand-made food, kitchenware, salami and small goods, linen, art, sculpture and jewellery

“This is a wonderful opportunity for people to celebrate their Scottish heritage and to contribute to a worthy cause. And there is also a great chance to make a start on Christmas shopping with a diverse range of quality goods and fare on sale.

The Games promise to have something for everyone; music, superb food, entertainment, amazing dancing, drumming, piping and spectacular feats of endurance,” Hindson says. “The event offers a one-stop-shop to celebrate all things Celtic and it’s a great chance for people to contribute to a novel fundraising campaign that is all about a community helping itself get back onto its feet.”

Tickets are available from Selwyn libraries, the Hororata garage, the Hororata village café and bar, or online from Ticket Direct with special deals for advance purchases. Gate sales are also available on the day.

For further information, visit: www.hororata.org.nz

There are many photo opportunities in the lead up to the event and on the day.

Media representatives are welcome to attend the event. Please visit the Registration Desk on arrival.

© Scoop Media