Highland Fling

World Amateur Men & Women’s Highland Heavy Games Championships

9:00 AM – Heavy Hammer

The hammer head is a 16 or 22 pound iron ball on the end of a cane shaft, measuring 4 feet 2 inches overall.  The hammer is thrown from behind a trig and the athlete is allowed to count the best of three throws.

9:45 AM – Open Stone

The stone of strength is the Scottish shot put.  It weighs about 16 or 22 pounds.  Legend has it that the distance a guest of Scottish landlord could put the stone of strength determined the sleeping accommodations he could expect to receive during his stay.  The stone is put with one hand, from behind the trig.

10:30 AM – Heavy Weight for Distance

Using metal weights with a chain or handle attached, the athletes are throwing for distance.  The weight is thrown one-handed from behind the trig with a nine-foot run up allowed.  Any style may be used, but the most popular and efficient is to spin like a discus thrower.  The contestants are judged on the longest of the three tosses.  The athlete must remain standing after throwing the weight.  If the athlete touches the top of the trig or the ground in front of it during his attempt, the throw is not counted.

11:15 AM – Light Weight for Distance

Using metal weights with a chain or handle attached, the athletes are throwing for distance.  The weight is thrown one-handed from behind the trig with a nine-foot run up allowed.  Any style may be used, but the most popular and efficient is to spin like a discus thrower.  The contestants are judged on the longest of the three tosses.  The athlete must remain standing after throwing the weight.  If the athlete touches the top of the trig or the ground in front of it during his attempt, the throw is not counted.

1:30 PM – Caber Toss

The caber is a long straight tree trunk for which there is no standard size or weight.  It should, however, be too large for any athlete to toss, and then be cut shorter by stages until one competitor is able to toss it end over end.  To do this, the athlete balances the caber on its small end and then picks it up and runs with it before heaving it end over end to land, he hopes, pointing directly away from him.  This would be called a 12 o’clock throw.  The competitor who tosses the caber closest to this position wins the day.  Cabers generally measure between 15 and 20 feet long and between 90 to 120 lbs.

2:15 PM – Sheaf Toss

A 16 lb. sheaf of hay, enclosed in a jute sack, is tossed over a bar with a pitchfork.  The bar is raised in steady increments until all but one competitor is eliminated.  Each athlete receives three tries at each height.

3:15 PM – Weight Over Bar

The objective of this strength event is to toss the 56 pound weight with an attached handle over a horizontal bar of variable height.  The starting height of the competition is the lowest agreed upon by the competitors.  Once a competitor starts to throw, he must compete each time the bar is raised.  Using only one hand, each athlete is allowed three attempts to clear the bar at each height.  If the weight touches the bar on its way over but doesn’t dislodge it, the toss is successful.  All measurements are made from the ground to the top of the bar midway between the uprights.  As the bar is raised, the field of athletes is reduced.  This event continues until all competitors but one are eliminated.

Fairy House Competition

A step above from a bird house, construct a Fairy House instead!

1. Free to participate!
2. Located in the Special Events Field
3. Registration and houses can be dropped off day of the competition (each house needs a registration form) or Friday between 1-5 pm at the Marketing Booth.
4. Judging will be conducted on the MN Renaissance Festival Facebook page
5. Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 houses.
6. If you wish to keep your Fairy House, please pick them up between 6-8pm.

Artisan Appreciation 

FREE Complimentary Ticket

August 24 & 25

The first two weekends of the Festival, our patrons will be able to support their favorite Shoppes and get rewarded! Patrons who spend $250 total at any of the artisan booths will receive one free admission ticket to return any of the remaining 2019 weekends.

Patrons will need to present their receipts at the Info Booth to receive a free admission ticket to return to the Festival.

Celebration of Cities

August 24th & 25th

Residents from these cities: Belle Plaine, MN, Carver, MN, Chaska, MN, Chanhassen, MN, Elko New Market, MN, Jordan, MN, New Prague, MN, Prior Lake, MN, Savage, MN, Shakopee, MN and Victoria, MN will receive $3 off their admission ticket when they present proof of residency at our box office.

Food Drive

August 24th & 25th

The Minnesota Renaissance Festival will be teaming up with CAP Agency – Community Action Partnership of Scott Carver & Dakota Counties for a food drive! Bring 5 food items to the festival gates and receive (1) Buy One, Get One Free Adult Admission to the Festival.

Renaissance Scholars

FREE Complimentary Ticket

Congratulations! We are celebrating your Honor Roll achievement by providing you a FREE complimentary ticket to the 2019 Minnesota Renaissance Festival. WE are proud of you and you should be proud too!

• Watch Live Armored Jousting on Horseback
• Attend Juggling School
• See Comedy & Magic on 16 Stages of Exciting Entertainment
• Experience Live Craft Demonstrations
• Learn about Music, Dance, Fencing and Fashion of the Renaissance Period

Please bring your report card to the box office to receive your complimentary honor roll ticket to the Festival!