As many as a thousand spectators are expected to converge on Albert McGowan Park on Saturday to view the spectacle that is the Kamloops Highland Games.

Among the highlights of the day-long event will be seeing the six-time world champion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band perform alongside a half dozen other bands, said Don Noakes, president of the Kamloops Highland Games Society.

"We don't get to have a lot of visitors who are world class. Here's somebody of that caliber," Noakes said Wednesday.

The games were recently granted aggregate status by the B.C. Pipers Association. This means bands that come and perform are awarded points based on performance. This gives the event greater prominence within the tournament field as bands compete for top honours in North America.

Noakes said each band is comprised of 20 to 30 performers, making up a good portion of the 300 to 400 participants expected to take part in the day's events.

Highland dancing is another spectator favourite. There will be demonstrations this year but no competitive dancing as 20 local dancers are in Edmonton for a competition there.

When people aren't listening to music and watching fleet-footed dancers, they can entertain themselves by watching the heavy field events. These require competitors to partake in a variety of strength-testing challenges by throwing objects like Braemar stones and cabers — poles. The winner throws the greatest distance.

A vendors market and beer garden are among the festivities, which begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors.