Kate Boeve bringing Scottish Highland Games to Holland
HOLLAND — Local athletes looking to test their strength will have a unique opportunity to do so this summer during the Holland Waterfront Celtic Festival and Highland Games.
The event will have singing, dancing and food from Ireland and Scotland. But one of the main attractions will be the Highland Games. Kate Boeve, who is originally from Ohio but has lived in Holland for many years, is serving as athletic director for the highland games during the festival.
But she's not just some random festival worker assigned to help out organizing the games. She's one of the best in the world at these very specific games. There are nine events that make up the games that all require strength and technique to throw and lift heavy objects.
"The events are like track and field where it's not just throwing something," Boeve said. "It helps if you're strong, but to get the best quality you have to get the rhythm of twisting and using your legs, not just your arms. It's finesse and skill, too."
If there's anybody who's qualified to give advice on how to succeed at these niche sporting events, it's Boeve. She recently got ranked second overall in her age bracket at the Masters World Champion International Highland Games in Austin, Texas.
She also currently holds the world record for tossing a 10-pound sheaf of straw over a bar, at 19 feet, 6 inches. Other events include Scottish hammer throw, Caber toss, which is essentially a long tree trunk, weight throw over a bar and other similar throwing-type events.
She got involved with the games just a few years ago when she took her children to the Kalamazoo Scottish Festival where she saw them for the first time. They allowed spectators to participate and she jumped right in and the spark was lit.
"I've always liked athletics, but it's also just fun to be a part of a group of people with such great camaraderie," Boeve said. "A lot of people will coach you so well that you'll beat them, and they'll still be happy to coach you, it's a great community to play with."
Nearby cities and towns have held Highland Games competitions before. Alma, Kalamazoo and a few others across the state are no stranger to these cultural staples. But this festival will mark the first time Holland has hosted the games.
People from all across the country are expected to compete in the games in Holland, but they're not limiting it to just experienced athletes. Boeve intends to have some practice equipment and times this spring before the festival to teach those who want to learn in a safe and friendly environment. She's thrilled to have her city finally experience the magic that the highland games bring.
"We're really excited for the whole festival, the dancing and music and of course the games," Boeve said. "A lot of people consider the games a highlight because you can drink anywhere [at any festival], but you can't play these games at any festival."
The Holland Waterfront Celtic Festival and Highland Games are on June 24-25 and are slated to be held at Window on the Waterfront Park in downtown Holland. Registration for Holland's Highland games will begin in January.
—Contact Assistant Sports Editor Will Kennedy at Will.Kennedy@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByWillKennedy and Facebook @Holland Sentinel Sports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Kate Boeve bringing Scottish Highland Games to Holland
