Scotsfest unites clans

Letting out a fierce yell as she chucked a 14-pound weight across a field at the OC Fair and Events Center, Las Vegas resident Mindy Pockoski set a new record for the event on Saturday, and she did it in a woolen plaid skirt.

“What better way to spend a weekend than throwing things,” Pockoski said as she practiced for her next event, tossing sheaves of hay over a bar with a pitchfork.

Authentic Scottish Highland games are part of this year’s Scotsfest at the fairgrounds this weekend. The event features all things Scottish, ranging from bagpipers, Highland dancing to meat pies and haggis.

More than 60 clans ranging from Wallace and Rose to MacLean and Elliot have tents set up at the event for festival-goers to trace their Scottish lineage. McNiell Clan member Terry McNiell of Grand Terrace manned the clan’s booth at Scotsfest Saturday afternoon decked out in the Tartan of his ancestors. The clan traces its roots back to a Northern Irish king who came to the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides in the 11th Century.

“It’ just a big family with all of the clans that come to the festivals,” McNiell said. “You get to know each other and there’s a lot of camaraderie.”

The Clan Inebriated traces its roots back to the year 2002 when clan chief Dennis Strawhun decided there needed to be a clan for people who might not be of Scottish decent, but wish they were.

“You can be Polish or French, anyone can join,” Strawhun said.

The clan’s badge sports the Gaelic slogan “Gu Deoch, Gu Cairdean, Gu Spors,” which translates as “to drink, to friends, to fun.

Scotsfest continues 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today at the OC Fair & Events Center. General admission costs $18 for a one-day pass. Admission costs $18 for seniors 65 and older and $3 for children ages 5 to 12.

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Scotland Facts

 The name Scotland comes from the Latin word “Scoti,” which the Romans used to describe the people who sailed from Ireland to raid Britain while it was under Roman control.

 The Scottish Parliament has one house with 129 members.

 Scotland was a sovereign nation before May 1701, where it joined England to become Great Britain.

 The Church of Scotland is the national church of Scotland.