A Celtic Celebration like No Other

Music, Dance, Food, Culture and Crafts of the Irish & Scottish

This June 22, 23, and 24, the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire will host the 14^th annual Celtic Fling and Highland Games to celebrate the stories, traditions, and cultures of the Celtic nations which have been alive for centuries.  Held on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire in northern Lancaster County, everything is Celtic during this delightful weekend. 

The Fling combines all of its wonderful aspects to form a party that separates itself from the rest.  Where else can you find a music festival, a dance competition, a sporting event, a cultural celebration, a food fest, and an arts and crafts show all located at one venue for just one ticket?  There is something for everyone at the Celtic Fling as traditional and contemporary Celtic heritage is celebrated, starting at 11 a.m. and ending at 10 p.m. 

A Music Fest for the Ages 

The best in Celtic entertainment has been seen at the Fling before and this year will be no different.  Traditional and modern bands can be seen performing non-stop across 8 different stages throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday, but the festivities begin with the Friday Night Concert.  This year’s concert will feature music from The Young Dubliners with Albannach and The Town Pants along with food and drink available from Sir William’s Hall in the Swashbuckler Grove.

Saturday and Sunday will be an all day music fest featuring many talented Celtic instrumentalists and several Celtic rock, pop, and punk bands you won’t want to miss.  Returning from last year’s Celtic Fling are the energetic and always entertaining Scythian, Barleyjuice, The Rogues, and Cutthroat Shamrock.  Let the peaceful sounds of violins, fiddles, and other beautiful instruments serenade you while listening to The Gothard Sisters, Neidfyre, Irish Blessing, and Burning Bridget Cleary.  Traditional and modern Celtic melodies can be heard from bands such as Albannach, Kilmaine Saints, and The Rovers while Tartanic and Tartan Terrors will display their instrumental, comedic, and theatrical talents, as well.

Irish Dance Extravaganza

Saturday, June 23 features the eighth annual Celtic Fling Feis sponsored by the Celtic Fling and Highland Games.  The Feis will showcase the talents of up to 1,000 competitors including girls, boys, women, and men ranging in ability from beginner to champion.  These competitors will compete in traditional hard shoe and elegant soft shoe jigs that will captivate the audience and show why authentic Irish dance is still practiced today like it was by the dance masters in 18^th century rural Ireland.  The Celtic Fling Feis, officially sanctioned by the North American Feis Commision, is the only Feis in Central PA.

Athletics Scottish Style

The Celtic Fling’s Highland Games, officially sanctioned by the Mid-Atlantic Scottish Athletics Association, adds an element of excitement to the day, as men and women compete in several authentic Celtic Sports.  Some events will test the competitors’ distance throwing abilities, such as the Clachneart or “Stone of Strength”, the 28 and 56-pound throw, and the Scottish Hammer.  Other events will test their abilities to throw objects high enough to clear a certain height, such as the Sheaf Toss, which includes a pitchfork and 20 pound bag of straw, and the 56-pound weight toss, where competitors attempt to throw the weight over a bar set at a height agreed upon by all competitors. 

Want to give it a try? On Sunday, Highland Games experts will be present to provide information and a brief demonstration on how to properly throw the caber and sheaf.  Afterwards, guests can try their luck in an attempt to toss the caber and sheaf with the best of them. 

The athletics excitement doesn’t end with the Highland Games, as rugby and hurling have been added to the mix this year.  The Harrisburg Rugby Football Club has been fostering the growth of rugby in the Central PA area for 43 years, and you can witness the action at this year’s Celtic Fling.  The club will be running both men’s and women’s rugby matches for the Celtic Fling audience on Sunday, June 24^th.  You can also catch Na Toraidhe, a Philadelphia based hurling club, practice their profession at this year’s Celtic Fling.  This group of American and Irish born players is on its way to putt
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