Fling into the fun at Highland’s city celebration
Doc Russon winds up to throw a hammer during the Utah State Hammer Throw Championship at the Highland games during the Highland Fling at Heritage Park on Saturday.
Doc Russon walks past a tent of Highland game equipment at the Highland games during the 2014 Highland Fling at Heritage Park on Saturday, August 2, 2014. GRANT HINDSLEY, Daily Herald
Doug Robbins competes in sheaf toss at the Highland games during the Highland Fling at Heritage Park on Saturday, August 2, 2014. GRANT HINDSLEY, Daily Herald
James Gilmer competes in sheaf toss at the Highland games during the Highland Fling at Heritage Park on Saturday, August 2, 2014. GRANT HINDSLEY, Daily Herald
Mike Findlay and Paul Pfeiffer measure throws during the Utah state hammer throw championship at the Highland games during the Highland Fling at Heritage Park on Saturday, August 2, 2014. GRANT HINDSLEY, Daily Herald
Highland games, BMX bikes, a fine arts show, parade, 5K, baby contest, concert and fireworks — there’s something for everybody who attends the Highland Fling during the end of July.
The theme for the celebration, “Love For Home,” evokes different feelings for various people. Highland City council member Jessie Schoenfeld said, “We are excited about our 2015 theme. Our hope is it stirs emotions in our residents, young and old, a feeling and longing for home — our individual homes, our hometown of Highland and our eternal home.”
Events chair Emily Gillingwater said many new activities are part of the celebration. Backyard garden tours are one of them, plus Business Bingo and Family Adventure Race at Highland Glen Park. “It’s similar to the Amazing Race, but for families,” Gillingwater said. Movie in the Park is geared to teenagers with food vendors and activities — this replaces the youth dance this year, she said.
Scottish heavy events such as the Highland games are traditional at the Fling, Gillingwater said. “These are popular. Competitors are from mostly Utah and Idaho. These are the same athletes you see perform at Thanksgiving Point and Payson Scottish Festival.”
Children in Highland are lucky with all the choices on Kids Night including the splash pad, bike race, fun run, face painting, kids games plus the play day rodeo. “Many generations compete in the rodeo each year,” she said.
Entertainment for the whole family is numerous and plays from noon to 10 p.m. at Heritage Park stage on the last day of the celebration. Headlining the evening is Kindle Creek, a popular country group.
“Kindle Creek is a group of world class performers with an award-winning sound unlike anything you’ve heard before,” Gillingwater said. “They are also hard-working every-day guys. There is an honesty and passion in their music that only comes with real life experience.
“They are not supermodels or glamour boys but they put on a show you won’t forget. Based in Utah, they have fast become a favorite in the local country music scene.”
Churches, schools, city committees and other groups are involved in the activities — which has been a goal of the celebration committee. “Volunteers plan the event six to 12 months ahead of time,” Gillingwater said. “Most of the work is done the three months prior to the celebration.”
And the mayor says …
Mayor Mark Thompson is entering his second year of serving as leader of Highland City. A life-long resident, he’s proud it’s still a family community.
Mayor Thompson sees the Highland Fling as a unifying force as “We all do [the responsibilities] together!”
“We want to be a place where we give an opportunity for folks to volunteer,” he continued. “These cultural events are wonderful, they are enriching all of us, the children, the adults.”
He realizes the city is growing and remembers when he was a teenager that Highland had less than 100 homes as opposed to the now more than 4,000. “I was here when it wasn’t Highland City, it was just part of Utah County but we called it Highland,” he said. “People who [move] here are family oriented. A huge influx are those who come here for BYU and UVU and never leave. They like the area.”
Mayor Thompson believes celebrations such as the Highland Fling “build the community, keeps us all united, provide the young people a chance to reflect on what we have to offer — elements of a happy life.”
The message he’d like to give the Highland residents is: “We can do whatever we want if we’re willing to put the effort into it!”
Highland Fling runs July 25-Aug. 1 with various events being held throughout the city. For a complete listing, log on to www.highlandcity.org.