The second year of the Ouachita Highland Games at Cedar Glades Park drew more participants, vendors and spectators this year, according to one of the organizers.
Stacy Green, athletic director of the games and two-time world champion, told The Sentinel-Record during day two of the games on Saturday that they had surpassed the numbers for the 2021 games.
"So far, so good. We've got good weather, so very happy about that. We've got a real big crowd, much bigger than last year," Green said, noting the event drew competitors from six different states.
"Competitor-wise, we're probably just five or six more. Crowd-wise, it's at least doubled, vendor side, it's close to doubled," Green said.
The games were moved to March this year to avoid last September's warmer temperatures, when highs were in the upper 80s to low 90s. The weather last September was "pretty warm out," Green noted. While the weather cooperated for this year's games, Green said "we got lucky this weekend because you know what last Saturday was like, it was 33 degrees, so next year, of course, we're going to talk about it with everyone, we're probably looking at moving it to April or May next year, just to hedge our bets against the weather."
center>
Video not playing? Click here https://www.youtube.com/embed/hdKlUUHX7LY
The games are hosted by Gates Family Entertainment, the same group that holds the Hot Springs Renaissance Faire each year.
Green said there are nine different events at the games ranging from Scottish hammers to stones for distance and they had bigger competitors this year.
"We have a really big, strong A class, so this year the crowds going to get to see things thrown further than they did last year, the big guys, everything they do will be bigger than last year," he said.
"I think word-of-mouth, and the fact that we were able to pull off a decent one last year" contributed to the increase from last year, Green said, noting a scheduling conflict with a different show in Ohio prevented this one from being even bigger.
"Arnold Schwarzenegger had his big Arnold Show this weekend in Columbus, Ohio, and it's like the biggest thing going, so we actually lost four athletes, that I know of that would have been here today, some world champions, that went to compete in the Arnold, which I can't blame them for that," he said.
Many participants in the inaugural games last year were first-time competitors. Green said, "just our local crew from Hot Springs to Little Rock, I think 80% of the first-timers are back here today, and then we have at least a dozen brand-new first-timers competing here today also."
"I think it's wonderful," said Miranda Brewer, one of the competitors from last year. "It's been a great turnout. We have at least 60 different competitors in all different weight classes and divisions."
Brewer started training last April. After two games, she said she is "hitting PRs, which is personal record, and that's pretty much what everyone goes for is hitting PRs."
"I think everyone is having a wonderful time," Brewer said, and invited those interested in the sport to try it out.
"Come to one of our practices and see if you would like to throw things," she said.
Anna Galbraith said she returned to compete because "I had a lot of fun last year and I kind of wanted to see if I could do something better than last, but I've got a little bit of a shoulder injury I'm working with."
"I'm ready for year three now," Galbraith said.
Kathy Lenahan participated in her third Highland Games. Explaining the appeal, she said, "staying active, the community. I like bringing my kids out and getting them involved, and just living a healthy lifestyle with fun people."
Lenahan praised the Ouachita Highland Games, noting, "I think it's great, I think it's fun. I think it's well run, I like the people that come out and support the community, and it's only their second event, so I think things are growing very well."
One person who has attended games before but made his Ouachita debut was Sean McConnell.
"So for me, I didn't get started until I was 40. I already had different backgrounds in athletics. I was a college cheerleader after getting injured in high school, playing football/wrestling, that didn't go that way, got hurt, had to find something else," McConnell said.
"After graduating got into professional arm wrestling. Broke this arm in half, see the nice scar, in the finals of a state championship competition. Took about a year off, rehab and wasn't ready to give it up as far as competition and needed something," he said.
"More than anything I love the physical aspect of it, the mental aspect of it, the friendships, all together it's physical health, it's mental health and it's just a great community," McConnell said.
After seeing photos of the 2021 games, he said he wanted to travel to Hot Springs from his hometown of Sperry, Oklahoma. "I saw some pictures and saw just a beautiful scenery and said, you know, this has got to be a game I've got to come to."
Another first-time competitor who learned about the games by seeing photos online was Drake Wallace.
"Actually I just saw the Facebook post about a month ago and I thought 'Imma do that,'" he said. "I'm loving it, I'm having a blast. My last name being Wallace, there is a Scottish heritage there, and I just happened to see this, so that's the main reason why I came to do it."
While he "hit the gym for more powerlifting stuff," Wallace said he didn't do any true event training for the games.
He said he intends to continue competing in the games, noting, "Oh yeah, I plan on trying to do three or four events a year, if I can find them."
Miranda Brewer participates in a hammer throw during the 2022 Ouachita Highland Games at Cedar Glades Park on Saturday. - Photo by Tanner Newton of The Sentinel-Record
Drake Wallace, of Paragould, participates in a weight throw during the 2022 Ouachita Highland Games at Cedar Glades Park on Saturday. - Photo by Tanner Newton of The Sentinel-Record