Dust off your tomahawk and get your grandfather’s bow and arrows out of storage, it is time to #claimyourheritage in the first annual Mountain Games. Sponsored by the Cabell Huntington Hospital Foundation, Mountain Games brings a variety of events and challenges to test the true Appalachian.
“Not unlike the popular Highlander Games, where people wear kilts and throw logs and rocks, this event will host some heritage rich, Appalachian-style games for the whole family to enjoy,” said Bradley Burck, vice president of the Cabell Huntington Hospital Foundation. “We wanted to do something that would bring people together in a way that would celebrate the way our ancestors would come together.”
Mountain Games is the CHH Foundation’s major fundraising event for 2016. Each year the Foundation Board develops a new and inviting way to raise funds to help support the construction of the Hoops Family Children’s Hospital. An additional $4.5 million is needed to complete construction, and fundraising is ongoing to add physicians and services.
“In 2014, we introduced the Artisans Express,” said Burck. Artists throughout the Tri-State designed train models that were auctioned off and displayed throughout Huntington for the community to enjoy. “That event was a huge success and is still being enjoyed by visitors to Huntington.”
Burck said Mountain Games will be an event of equal success that will involve teams, single competitors and even children.
“Mountain Games is a 10 event competition. Competitors will receive an individual score for each event. The total of the score will name the first ever Mountain Man and Mountain Woman,” he explained. “If you come to compete as a team, every member of the team’s score will be compiled to claim the Mountain Team trophy.”
Mountain Games will take place at Heritage Farm on Sept. 3, Labor Day Weekend beginning at 10 a.m. The cost is $40 per individual or $240 per six-member team. The 10 events for the competition are:
- Obstacle Course – Competitors will navigate the “Appalachian Mountains” and her many treacherous obstacles in a classic military obstacle course with a little Appalachian flare.
- Feat of Strength – Only the strong survive in the wilds. Would you be able to fight off a bear or a mountain lion with nothing but rocks? Show off your muscles in this rock throwing contest and bring home bragging rights.
- Bigfoot Hunting – Folklore has it that Bigfoot has been seen in these parts. The only way to survive is to show off the strength of your feet. Will you become another victim of Bigfoot or will you be able to take him down? Test your aim and kicking skills in this unique game of foot play.
- The Coal Miner – Coal miners have one of the most difficult jobs. We took just one part of their job to see if you are able to complete it. Do you have the strength to move the coal to the delivery point before the train comes?
- Seneca Rocks – Sometimes to see the real beauty of this state you will have to climb to its highest point. Come experience the beauty of this state by climbing to the top of our own Seneca Rocks wall.
- Shelter Builder – Your grandparents survived by being able to build shelters with almost anything. How will you fare? Will you be able to build a suitable shelter in the time allotted or will you be left out in the cold?
- The Hunter – Ever hunt for your own food? Our ancestors did. Try your hand at the bow and arrow to see if you would eat well in the wild or go hungry.
- Steel Walker – Steel and coal are part of our heritage. How well would you do walking on a steel bar? Do have the balance and the fearlessness to carry supplies on a high rise steel beam? Don’t look down because you might not be able to finish the job.
- Tomahawk Throwing – The Tomahawk was one of the most feared tools in the mountains. Now you will use one to test your accuracy, skill, and throwing ability.
- Dead Eye Shooting – Don’t just fire from the hip. Do you have the ability to fire with accuracy at multiple targets in a set amount of time?
In addition to the Appalachian-themed challenges, the event will feature mountain dance performances, West Virginia music and storytelling, a petting zoo and lumberjack demonstrations by Arden Cogar Jr., a member of the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS® Team. Heritage Farm Museum & Village, an Appalachian history museum located off the Fifth Street exit of I-64, is the ideal location for the Games.
Burck said community organizations, from the YMCA to the Tri-State Area Council of Boy Scouts of America to various branches of the military, have partnered with the Cabell Huntington Hospital Foundation to organize and host the event.
Team and individual registration is being taken on-line at chhfoundation.org/mountain-games-registration or by calling Velma Workman, community development coordinator at 304.526.6314.
