Grab your kilt. It’s time for some caber tossin’.

The Greenbank Farm will be a-whirl with tartan as the eighth annual Whidbey Island Highland Games are held Saturday, Aug. 12.

The Celtic sun will rise for activities beginning at 9 a.m. with the competitions beginning at 10 a.m. and the Highland Games fun continuing with a packed schedule through late afternoon.

Julie Riise, trustee for the Whidbey Island Celtic Society that organizes the event each year, said that the Highland Games are to honor everything Celtic.

“Scottish, Irish, Welsh — many clans are represented,” she said.

Riise said that competitors for the heavy athletic competitions — light stone, heavy stone and caber toss — come from a wide range of backgrounds to get to the games.

The caber toss will have each participant lifting a heavy pole, running and tossing it so it lands in a straight up position. The hammer will have them swinging away for distance. The stone throw is comparable to the modern-day shot-put and is broken down to both light and heavy stone. Each is then judged in weight for distance and the heavy stones are also thrown to judge weight for height.

Riise is a former track athlete who began competing in California as a way to continue her sport, of sorts.

“The heavy events are a heptathalon for participants,” Riise said. “It’s all day, multiple events.”

All games’ participants are required to wear traditional attire — kilts for men, skirts and sashes for the ladies.

Don’t worry, all you newbies to the sport who want to show up to prove your strength and try something new – it’s understandable if you don’t have a kilt your first year. Registration begins at 8 a.m. for the competitions. Show up wearing your Celtic pride. Next year you can decide what to wear under that kilt.

When not watching the strength events, Highland Games attendees can be witness to a mock battle or go wander the booths to learn about the different clans. Peruse the Celtic art, memorabilia and other trinkets.

And even if you’re not of Celtic bloodlines, there will be plenty to enjoy. Watch the brute strength and athleticism of the heavy games, hear the unique sounds of the bagpiping, enjoy the musical merriment of the drum and band competitions, or watch the graceful charm and fast feet of the dancers. The wee tykes can have fun at the kids activities.

“The Scottish culture has left its mark all around the world,” Riise said.” It’s fun in its uniqueness and draws people together.”

Grab some grub, dance a jig and simply embrace the games for all its worth. Games admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, military and kids ages 5-12. Children under five are admitted free. For more information about the Whidbey Island Highland Games, visit www.wihg.org.