Celtic Highland Games of the Quad-Cities

E-mail: infocelt@celtichighlandgames.org Phone: 309-794-0449

Athletics
Entry
Rules

Wondering what a Highland Games and Music Festival is all about? Here's a sample of last year's schedule, just to give you an idea. Check back closer to our 2008 event for an updated view of what's going on!

General Day Events Schedule:
8 a.m.	Gates open
9 a.m.	Most events start - Athletics field competition, Primary/Novice Highland Dance, Bagpiping solos, Vendor and Clan Rows open, etc.
10 - 3:45 p.m.	Workshops around the grounds
11 a.m.	Families check in at Clan Tent to participate in Parade of Tartans
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.	Lion’s Lair open for Sponsors and VIPs w/ badges
Noon	All events break for Parade of Tartans
1 p.m.	Intermediate Dance Highland Dance competition in Starlite
1:30 p.m.	Bagpipe Band competition
3 p.m.	Just for Fun contests - "Bonnie" Knees, Haggis Howl, etc.
4 p.m.	Searson plays in the Entertainment Tent
5 p.m.	Massed Bands on the Piping Field
6 p.m.	All day events should be closed - Vendors, Clans, etc.

Food and beverages available from Celtic Games vendors and the Fairgrounds concession stands on Heritage Way and in the Eichelberger Pavilion from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food and beverages - including the Celtic Highland Games signature ale, Blue Cat Brew Pub “Scotch Terrier,” are also available for
sale in the Starlight Ballroom.

Please note: The Athletics competition involves about 40 male and female athletes throwing in a number of classes in several events - putting the stone, weights for height and distance, sheaf (not sheep!) toss, throwing the caber, etc. So we can’t tell you exactly what time they will [throw the caber, put the stone, etc.]. Usually, competition wraps up in late afternoon, and is followed by some challenge or exhibition events [tossing the barrel, farmer’s walk, etc.]. Your best bet is to arrive early, bring a lawn chair and plenty of sunscreen, and hang out for a while. Remember, there’s plenty to do and see elsewhere on the grounds if you want a break from seeing large objects fly through the air!

Animal Events
Sheepherding demos run hourly, from about 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Dog agility trials run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Celtic livestock exhibition: 9 a.m. to about 5 p.m.

Kingdom of Andorra Living History Campsite - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Stop by to see the Tudor Kitchen, Irish stick fighting, and enjoy special games for children: Feed the Dragon, Slay the Dragon, Catapult for Distance, Kiddie Caber, Kiddie Stone and Frog Pond. And while you’re in camp, pick up your “passport” for kids. Visit the clans and other areas for stamps and get a prize when you return it!

More fun around the grounds from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.:
Storytelling by William O”Wickam and Blackjack the Dragon, special family crafts at the Modern Woodmen Family Activities Tent, sevenhole mini golf for kids, balloon jumping castle and more!

Workshops - 10 a.m to 3:45 p.m.

Workshop Area 1 (Entertainment Tent)

10:00 – 12:00 noon, Irish Flute and Whistle workshop by Dr Frank Claudy.
Participants are welcome to bring wooden or metal (Boehm-system) flutes, or tin whistles (high or low) in the key of ‘D’. We will strive to learn two tunes – one commonly known and one that is little known. Frank will explore the Irish approach to playing reels or jigs, including some of the rhythmic subtleties, and the approach to orientation and melodic variation – all in a low-pressure and fun environment. Choice of tunes will depend on experience of the group. If there is a wide variation, Frank will devote time to individual questions.

1 to 3:30 p.m. Celtic Session, hosted by members of Barley House. (1:00 – 1:15 Session Etiquette, 1:15 – 3:30 Celtic Session) Bring your instrument and sit in. If you’re new to this type of Celtic “jam” session, please attend the 1 p.m. orientation. It’s a great way to play along with friends in a relaxed, open setting. Or come and just watch music being made.

4 p.m. Performance, featuring SEARSON. This Ontario, Canada band packed the tent two years ago. Come hear some “kicking” Celtic from this up-and-coming family band.

Workshop Area 2 (4-H Building)

10:00 – 12:00 Irish Fiddle workshop, by Guy Drollinger and Michael Romkey.
Learn ornamentation and several Celtic tunes.

1:00 – 2:00 Hammered Dulcimer Goes Celtic, by Friends of Note Hammered Dulcimer Club. The Club will play a variety of Celtic tunes and introduce you to the beauty of the hammered dulcimer. Also featured will be guitar, bodhran, mountain dulcimer and bowed psaltry.

Workshop Area 3 (Machine Shed Building)

10:00 – 10:45 Beginning Bodhran workshop, by Dr Randy Robinson and Kristi Rudd. This workshop is aimed at players with little or no experience. Topics to be covered include bodhran history, holding the tipper and drum properly, and learning basic jig and reel rhythms. Bring drums if you have them. Practice materials and a few drums will be available.

11:00 – 11:45 Intermediate Bodhran workshop, by Dr Randy Robinson and Kristi Rudd. The intermediate workshop’s content will depend on the interests of the participants and is geared toward players that feel comfortable with basic jig and reel patterns. Possible topics include advanced jig and reel rhythms, slip jigs, hornpipes, polkas and using the left hand to change pitch. Advanced players will have already mastered most of the material in these workshops.

1 to 1:30 p.m. Local Celtic Cultural Heritage, by Ruth Clayton-Davis
The Quad-Cities has a wealth of Celtic heritage starting in the early 1800’s. Enjoy just scratching the surface of the history of this area in pictures. Ruth’s Celtic heritage goes back to her Scottish ancestors who settled Long Grove, Iowa.

1:45 to 2:15 p.m. Ceardiann Gaeilge: Irish Language workshop, by Dineen Grow
Ireland is an ancient land with a rich heritage of literature, music, and oral tradition, which all stem from the poetry of the Irish Language. Come explore on of the six Celtic languages by learning basic words and simple phrases.

2:30 to 3 p.m. Welsh Language Through Folk Songs, by Danny Proud. Introduce yourself to the beauty of Welsh language through song. You’ll learn common words and a bit of grammar via a handful of well-known Welsh folk songs. Materials will allow you to pronounce anything in Welsh you come across at home!

3:15 – 3:45 Stranger in a Strange Land, Immigrant program by Christina Myatt.
Be transported to Ellis Island in the early 1900s. A costumed interpreter will engage you in role play, just as if you as you were a new immigrant attempting to gain entry to the United States. Includes actual stories of immigrants to this region.

Workshop Area 4 (Gazebo)

10:00 – 12:00 Beginning Tin Whistle workshop led by Tena Hess. Come learn how to play the tin whistle. Bring a D whistle.

Times and locations subject to change. Above effective as of 7/31/07

Celtic Highland Games Ceilidh Sponsored by the Blue Cat Brew Pub 6 p.m. to Midnight Starlite Ballroom, Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, Davenport, Iowa

Food and drink available for purchase from the fairgrounds staff.

Separate Ceilidh Admission: $5 for adults ages 16 and up; $2 ages 5 to 15

6 p.m. Barley House Band
7:15 p.m. Mullane Irish Dance Academy and other acts
8:30 p.m. to midnight: Searson, featuring fiddle, guitar, high-stepping lassies and more “kicking” Celtic music!

Then go home and dream of attending next year’s event. The Games is held annually, on the fourth Saturday in August. We’re looking forward to seeing you!

Wondering what you missed last year - here's a highlight of the day's fun:

Animal Attractions
Like dogs? Be sure to catch the sheep herding demonstrations on the far end of the fairgrounds. From puppies to adult dogs, these border collies are “born to herd.” Don’t forget to visit the Highland Cow, a Scottish gentle giant with shaggy hair. Watch for Clydesdales and more Celtic breeds, too!

Great Fun for the Family
More activities for kids and parents include captivating storytelling from William O’Wickam and Blackjack the dragon, fun family crafts, seven-hole mini-golf and “just for fun” versions of the Highland Games. Kids can also collect stamps on their own “passport.” Others will enjoy the ongoing stories and presentations in two living history villages -- populated by the Kingdom of Andorra and the Society for Cultural Anachronism.

Make way for the Ceilidh!
The fun goes on long after the competitions end. Be sure to catch the colorful (and loud) massed pipe bands performance around 5 p.m. Then move inside to the Starlite Ballroom for the Ceilidh – a party featuring music, more piping and dancing from 6 p.m. to midnight.

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