The 14th Annual Prescott Highland Games & Celtic Faire, hosted by the Prescott Area Celtic Society, takes place September 14-16 at “Loch Watson”
This year’s Highland Games & Celtic Faire will take place at Watson Lake Park in Prescott and will feature a variety of events, shops, and food meant to entertain people of all ages (and educate them, too!).
Presented by the Prescott Area Celtic Society (PACS), the Highland games is “always a great family experience enjoyed by so many,” said Jill Nelson, Past President of PACS.
“The Prescott Highland Games allows a new younger generation to experience the old ways and traditions of Celtic heritage and athletics,” said Dani Hamilton, age 19.
Visitors are encouraged to wear Celtic attire, or to buy some during the event.
Cheryl Hamilton, PACS President, said, “The Prescott Highland Games allows us to connect to our Scottish/Celtic culture even if we didn’t grow up knowing what it was or that we had it.”
“The first historical record of Highland games took place circa 1057 AD,” said Gary Reed, Past President of PACS. “The oldest continuous Highland games, the Ceres Games of Fife in Scotland, began in 1314. The first US games were held by the Caledonian Club of San Francisco in 1836.”
This Year’s Highlights
Friday evening, September 14
Between 5:30 and 9:30 p.m., the PACS Mascot, Ian MacNessie, will host a Celtic Celidah, or a traditional Scottish party, including music, dancing, food, beer, and whisky.
Saturday, September 15
Traditional Scottish Highland Games will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Sunday, September 16
Traditional Scottish Highland Games will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Both weekend days, in addition to the athletic events, there will be a Highland Dance competition, Bag Piping competition, merchandise, food vendors, and a Children’s Glen to keep the wee ones happy. There will be continuous entertainment and dancing on the Main Stage, and massed pipe bands and whisky tasting seminars throughout the weekend.
The Games organizers offer handicapped accessible “people movers” to assist anyone who may need a little help getting around. The event is pet- and kid-friendly.
To learn more and buy pre-sale tickets, visit www.prescotthighlandgames.com. Follow the Prescott Highland Games on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/52101447083/
PACS exists as a local non-profit, volunteer organization to promote cultural pride in Celtic heritage through education, scholarships, special events and the annual Prescott Highland Games and Celtic Faire. Monthly meetings are held at 5:30pm on the 3rd Monday of each month.