GREEN COVE SPRINGS – This year’s rendition of the Northeast Florida Highland Games and Festival will return Saturday to the Clay County Fairgrounds, featuring Gaelic food, dance, and games.

The unique event, which traditionally attracts thousands of kilt-clad fans, will feature traditional sports competitions featuring world-class athletes that will display their extraordinary talents in Scotland later this year. Along with the well-trained and talented athletes, attendees can enjoy several other indulgences, including food, music, merchandise vendors and much more.

Gates for the Highland Games will open at 8:30 a.m., followed by a full slate of activities. The showcase honoring Scottish culture, heritage and tradition should again provide an annual dose of rollicking family fun.

After a thirty-minute window allowing the most devoted fans to get to the gate in advance, the Highland Games will commence at 9 a.m. Then, the festival and competitions will begin at noon and last until 4:30 p.m.

As top-notch athletes compete in old-school Scottish competitions like a caber toss, sheaf, hammer toss, weight over bar and weight for distance, event organizers also have planned plenty of do-it-yourself sports for attendees to try their hand at, such as axe-throwing and archery.

As the melee of competitions, clan exhibits and food trucks converge, musical performers will play music familiar to the island.

The band 7 Nations will perform from 1-1:40 p.m. and 3-3:40 p.m., and Albannach will rock the stage from 2-2:40 p.m. and 4-4:40 p.m.

If that’s not enough, Clydesdale horses and Scottish sheepdogs will be in attendance. Not only that, but children’s petting zoo, clan history and genealogy with representatives on hand from 47-48 groups, and the Highland Dance competition will be on display for the big annual showcase for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Secretary of State Cory Byrd and his family will be in attendance.

“Every year we try to make the (Highland Games) a little bit more interesting. This year, it’s going to be exciting. We’ve got a special event planned this year, and I’m looking forward to a great turnout. The forecast looks like it’s going to be great,” said Audie Gibson, President of the Northeast Florida Scottish Highland Games and Festival.

Games, activities and other fun will bid farewell at 4:30 p.m., followed by a closing ceremony at 5 p.m.

But that’s just the beginning. Attendees seeking to get their money’s worth at the event should be prepared to buckle up for more.

The evening concert kicks off at 6:30 p.m., which will also feature 7 Nations (6-7:20 p.m.) and Albannach, who will seal the deal from 7:40-9 p.m.

Gates will finally close at 10 p.m. Tickets for the 28th annual Highland Games can be purchased in advance for $12 at the Northeast Florida Scottish Highland Games & Festival website at NEFLGames.com or $15 at the gate on the day of the event. The website also lists several local ticket outlets for those wishing to make an in-person purchase in Clay and other counties throughout the area.