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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
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