Enumclaw will be busy with Street Fair, Highland Games

Enumclaw will jump this week as the three-day street fair floods the city center and the ever-entertaining Scottish Highland Games take over the grounds of the Expo Center.

Both events represent three days of good times, as the street fair welcomes visitors Friday and Saturday, while the Highland Games draw crowds on Saturday and Sunday.

The street fair, again sponsored by the Rotary Club of Enumclaw, will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. As usual, several blocks will be filled in downtown Enumclaw, with vendors hawking everything in the sun, from education to athletics, from cosmetics to politics.

On the food and drink side, vendors will cook burgers and hot dogs, kettlecorn, donuts, snow cones and south of the border dishes. Non-alcoholic drinks will be available, as well as coffee and, for those 21 and over, the Buck Up Bar.

Live music has traditionally been a part of Street Fair and this year is no different. On Friday, Sugar High takes the stage at 5 p.m., followed by Camouflage Cowboys at 7; Saturday will be Sunday Gone at 4:30 p.m. and Chicken Wire at 7. Other acts gracing the stage include the young performers of the Magic Strings program, Imagination Theater and the athletes of Peak Gymnastics.

Back, the Kid Zone offers family fun, especially for the little ones. There will be plenty of free entertainment in the area, with charges for things like face painting and rides.

The 3-on-3 basketball tournament will have a lot more visibility this year. The tournament for all ages kicks off Saturday at 11 am along Cole Street; in its first two years, the tournament was a bit hidden, with courts on Kasey Kahne Drive.

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS GAMES AND CLAN GATHERING

The Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering officially start Friday night, but really open their doors to the general public at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The festivities take place until 11 p.m. on Saturday and 5.30 p.m. on Sunday.

This year marks the 72nd edition of the Highland Games and the 32nd year of the association at Enumclaw.

These Highland Games, organized by the Seattle Scottish Highland Games Association, are the sixth oldest in the United States and the largest in Washington State. Attendance is known to exceed 20,000 visitors.

A highlight of the year is the gathering of marching bands and drums and the parade of clans, which takes place at 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Visitors can stroll the Avenue of the Clans, delve into Scottish heritage, or browse the Vendor’s Hall and Celtic Market to see the work of Scottish artisans. Others will walk the Scottish farm with shaggy Scottish cattle and Clydesdale horses and dog lovers will visit the Celtic Kennel where the dogs will demonstrate agility, obedience and herding. After strolling through the grounds of the Expo Center, some might choose to quench their thirst with Scottish-style beers at Rampant Lion or Tilted Kilt pubs.

Musical acts traditionally provide everything from silent strings to hoarse reels, from solo performers to groups filling the stage. There are six star artists, each taking the stage three times a day, so there’s no shortage of music.

Another type of entertainment is provided by the Seattle Knights, an entire specialty of the theatrical troupe is billed as “medieval fantasy”. Expect to see sword fights and jousting, using real armor and weapons.

As always, muscular athletes will participate in traditional Celtic events like the Caber Throw and the Wreath Throw.

Tickets cost $ 20 for adults per day or a two-day pass is available for $ 30. Seniors and children can get a daily pass for $ 15 or a two-day admission for $ 20; children under 5 are admitted free. There is a daily charge of $ 7 for parking.

For more information call 206-522-2541 or visit www.sshga.org.