Fri 6/23-Sat 6/24
Has your kilt been hanging forlornly in the closet, not getting enough of an airing? Good news! The Ohio Scottish Games & Celtic Festival is back at the Berea Fairgrounds this weekend, and it not only won’t be out of place, it’s virtually de rigeur.
The two day event features a whole host of odd competitions you probably didn’t encouter at your high school, such as — new this year!—Extreme Sport Live Competitive Jousting. All the old favorites are back including the keg toss & haggis throw, highland dance, and the kilted mile, a 100K yard dash where all but the kids division must wear kilts — and they’ll loan you one if you don’t have one.
In addition to games, a big part of this festival is music, and all weekend long, you’ll be able to hear Scottish fiddle and harp and Irish music competitions, along with entertainment by such event-appropriate bands as New Barleycorn, Eimear and Eileen, the Kilroy Ceili Band and many many more, and local Irish dance schools. There’s tons more: a kids’ area, a display of British cars and motorcycles, fencing and dance demonstrations, baroque music, axe throwing, border collies and sheep herders, Irish wolfhounds and whiskey tasting. Whew!
Instead of an opening ceremony, the Grand Parade at noon on Saturday will show off all the competitors, athletes, artists and other participants. Go here for more information and tickets.