Houston Highland Games and Celtic Festival

When: mid-May

Where: The Houston Farm and Ranch Club at One Abercrombie Street.

Since 1971, tartan-loving Texans have headed to Houston for this weekend-long Highland fling.

Events: From traditional tunes to contemporary Celtic compositions, music lovers can enjoy harmonies that bring the Highlands home as a variety of local, regional and international acts take to the AMECParagon Stage, or marvel at the musical mastery of the contestants vying for first place in the piping, drumming and Scottish harp competitions. If the roll of the drum and call of the bagpipes make your toes tap, dance a jig with other festival attendees at the ceilidh, or admire the fleet feet of performers as they prance to the steps of the Seann Truibhas, the Strathspey and Reel and the Sword Dance in the Highland dancing competition.

A 22-pound hammer lands with a thunderous thud on the grounds of the Houston Farm and Ranch Club as sports enthusiasts watch kilt-clad clansmen compete in battles of brawn which include the sheaf toss, weight throw, stone toss and the ultimate display of muscular might, the caber toss.

Festival attendees can also sharpen their skills regarding all things Scottish in a number of workshops. Classes in Ceilidh dances are available, as are Gaelic language lessons, and Texans can learn to trace their lineage in a genealogy workshop.

Children's Activities: Texas tykes and pre-teens, divided into four age groups, can test their athletic skills in the three-legged race, a mini caber toss, and an egg and spoon race before teaming together for a Tug-O-War contest. Wee ones can also get in on the fun at the "Diaper Derby," where tots travel toward the finish line in the "Turtle Crawl," bonny babies battle for first place in the "Bunny Run" and cherubic children charge toward victory in the "Haggis Chase."

Shopping: After munching on a Scottish meat pie and sampling some scones or Scotch eggs prepared by one of the food vendors, hunt for Highland-inspired souvenirs among 25 merchant booths.

For more information:

• visit www.houstonhighlandgames.com