Highland games to feature athletic feats, dancing and music
By AMANDA LLEWELLYN
VIEW STAFF WRITER
View File photoThe J.T. Dunnie Pipe Band from Salt Lake City performs at a previous Las Vegas Celtic Gathering and Highland Games. Thousands of spectators are expected to watch contests of strength, dancing, drumming and piping this weekend at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs.
Advertisement
If you really want to have a good time, follow the guys wearing kilts.
That's the idea behind the 2008 Las Vegas Celtic Gathering and Highland Games beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, 9200 Tule Springs Road.
"I think that people can expect to have a great time and be immersed in Celtic culture," Las Vegas Celtic Society secretary Jeff Gordon said. "It's as rich and diverse as anything else. That's why we work so hard to put this thing on each year. The exposure to the community is so important."
According to Gordon, the event's organizers work on a volunteer basis.
"We do it because we want to; nobody gets paid a dime," he said. "In fact, in years past, we've actually put our own money into the festival. This will be the first year when we project that everything will break even. But, it's all worth it."
The festival will feature live music from Celtic rock bands, a Scotch whiskey tasting and beer tent, Irish dancers, Scottish highland dancers, bagpipers and Scottish-inspired athletic events.
"There will be kilts as far as the eye can see," Gordon said. "That's a given. The athletic events are going to very traditional, as well."
The games will include a caber toss, heavy stone throw, hammer throws and strong man competition-type feats.
"This is so popular," Gordon said. "To see our participants do stuff that borders on super human."
Kids will have the chance to try a smaller version of the hammer throw, as well as a tug of war, teddy bear and mini-caber toss and face painting.
"It's a family event, and kids like to try the activities that they see adults taking part in, so we've made that possible," Gordon said.
Although festivities end at 6 p.m. at the park, the party will continue at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Fremont Street Experience First Street stage where Celtic bands the Browne Sisters, Finnegan's Wake, Neil O'Neill and the John Allan Stand Easy Band will take the stage.
There also will be bagpipers parading through the street until midnight.
A special church service will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at the Highland stage, and, according to Gordon, the service will be just one more event where community members can embrace Celtic traditions and culture.
"We hope that people have fun and see this as a celebration of our culture and diversity," Gordon said. "We want to share it with the world."
Admission to the games is $10. For more information, visit www.lasvegasceltic society.org.
LAS VEGAS CELTIC GATHERING AND HIGHLAND GAMES
* What: Event highlighting Celtic culture. Athletic events include hammer toss, caber throw and heavy stone throw
* When: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
* Where: Floyd Lamb Park at Tule Springs, 9200 Tule Springs Road
Archived Editions| Advertising | Contact The Staff
