Celtic Nations Celebration

 

Throughout the centuries, the charm behind the music, dance and stories of the Celtic peoples have captivated the world. There is no better place to celebrate the Celtic nations than the 12th annual Celtic Fling and Highland Games, June 25, 26 and 27. Held on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire in northern Lancaster County, the Celtic Fling is more than a "wee bit" of Scotland and a "touch of the Irish." It's a place where everyone can be Celtic even if it's just for one weekend. 
 
The Fling is a party like no other. It's a music festival, a dance competition, a sporting event, a cultural festival, an arts and crafts fair and a food fest all for just one ticket. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., the Fling salutes both traditional and contemporary Celtic heritage with non-stop music and dance, sanctioned competitions, foods, ales and wine, crafts and more.
 

 
Known as a showcase for the best in Celtic entertainment, the Fling will feature a rich blend of traditional and modern bands performing non-stop on eight stages. This year's lineup will introduce several new musical acts guests are sure to love. The kick-off Friday Night Concert  features food and drink from the Swashbuckler Pub starting at 6 and the Celtic Rock music of The Young Dubliners,followed by the ever-popular Enter The Haggis.
 
On Saturday and Sunday it's the rousing, raucous music of Scythian andone of the most loved Celtic Rock bands in the US, Barleyjuice. Brother will bring their signature soaring highs of the bagpipes, and tribal percussion. The Fling welcomes the quintet comprised of some of America's most talented, young musicians, Bua, described by Irish Music Magazine as "the essence of a superb band." 
 
Musically, Ceann have made a name for themselves as one of the most fun, and musically adventurous bands in the country. Originally from Scotland, Ed Miller has for many years been based in Austin TX, where he gained graduate degrees in Folklore and Geography at the University of Texas. Since 2001 Icewagon Flu has created a mixture of genres, which has solidified a growing following. Bringing together three multi-instrumentalists from England, Ireland, and America, Rathkeltair is essentially a power trio, yet they often bring along a powerful musical guest to form a quartet. The name The Rovers comes from many traditional songs which use the same noun/verb, and their music is a blend of traditional Irish music mixed with favorite cover tunes. Rounding out the list are The Town Pants, SloanWolfe, and, Sunday only, Solas.
 

 
Irish dance claims the spotlight Saturday, June 26, with the sixth annual Celtic Fling Feis officially sanctioned by the North American Feis Commission and the only Feis in Central PA. Due to popular demand, the Feis will now welcome 1000 Irish dancers. Girls and boys, women and men ranging in ability from beginner to champion will compete in traditional hard shoe and elegant soft shoe jigs and reels that are at the heart of the Irish culture. 
 

 
The Celtic Fling's Highland Games, officially sanctioned by the Mid-Atlantic Scottish Athletics Association, add to the thrill of Saturday's competitions. Pre-registered participants - both men and women - compete in judged events including the Scottish Hammer, the Sheaf Toss, the Clachneart or "Stone of Strength", and impressive Caber Toss involving an 18-foot tree trunk weighing up to 150 pounds. The athlete with the best overall combined performance earns the title "Athlete of the Day" and an automatic berth in the East Coast Championships. 
 
Want to give it a try? Sunday will feature an interactive Highland Games demo where guests can learn to toss a caber with the best of them. Sign-ups are one half hour before the event.
 

 
The Fling will showcase a cornucopia of Celtic history, culture and tradition. Historians, storytellers, re-enactors and traditional Celtic musicians will fill both days.  A gathering of the Clans will offer the chance to explore clan histories and become familiar with the worthwhile missions the clans and societies maintain. Border collies will be put through their paces on Bosworth Field, responding to the whistle calls necessary to gather a flock of sheep just as it's been done for centuries throughout the Celtic Nations. 
 

 
Twenty-two feast kitchens will serve a tasting tour of the Celtic Nations. Enjoy corned beef with cabbage, indulge in Mince and Taddies, Potato Leek Soup, Irish Bangers and Mash, Fish 'n' Chips, or a Scotch Egg. 
 
Always a favorite is the Swashbuckler Brewery, a micro-brewery located on the festival grounds, featuring a variety of handcrafted ales. It's a delicious menu of hops and malts and barley with four house favorites and a specialty beer prepared exclusively for Fling weekend. Palates that prefer the vintner's art will find a variety of Mount Hope Wines for sampling and purchase. 
 
In addition to the 100 resident Renaissance Faire shops, more than 50 guest artisans and merchants will be on hand, offering a wide array of unique items from one-of-a-kind pieces including imported Irish wools and Scottish tartans to Celtic souvenirs. Rounding out the list of artisans are weavers, spinners, leather workers, jewelers, sculptors, a demonstrating glass blower, herbalist, blacksmith and more. 

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Whether you take the high road or the low, the Celtic Fling and Highland Games take place Friday night June 25 with the pre-Fling concert, and Saturday and Sunday, June 26 and 27, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday concert tickets are $19.95. One-day Saturday or Sunday admission is $25.95 for adults and $9.95 for children ages 5 to 11. Guests can save $3.00 by purchasing adult Fling tickets in advance online. Festival details, performer biographies and click-to-print advanced one or two-day tickets can be purchased at PaRenFaire.com or by calling (717) 665-7021. 
 
The Celtic Fling & Highland Games is located on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire on Route 72, a half mile South of PA Turnpike exit 266, 14 miles East of Hershey and 15 miles North of Lancaster.