Friday, September 15, and Saturday, September 16
Centennial Park, 315 South Marquette Street, Davenport IA
An annual outdoor celebration presented by the Celtic Cultures Alliance of the Quad Cities, this year's Celtic Festival & Highland Games will again boast dozens of demonstrations, exhibits, family activities, cultural workshops, and contests covering everything from dancing to feats of strength, with live music provided by more than a dozen national and local acts.
Friday's schedule features day-long demonstrations presented by Beornve Belegarth Medieval Combat, the Third Iowa Cavalry, and local blacksmiths, with family activities including the creation of cardboard swords and shields, the decorating of sugar cookies, face painting, and pony rides courtesy of the Quad Cities Pony Club. The Welsh musicians of Calan perform a mainstage concert at 7 p.m., with Exorna, Athas, Greenmore, and Turas performing Entertainment Tent sets earlier in the day.
Saturday brings with it the ever-popular Heavy Athletics Competition (featuring the Caber Toss, Hammer Throw, and Sheaf Toss), plus events including the annual Parade of Tartans and Special Highland Games Competition. Additional competitions include the Celtic Princess and Bonnie Knees Contests, and with Friday's bands performing again on Saturday, they'll be joined by live sets by Wylde Neps, Drops of Green, and the area ensemble Black Hawk Pipes & Drums.
The Centennial Park gates open at 11 a.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday, admission is free, and more information on this year's festival is available at CelticHighlandGames.org.
