Ohio Scottish Games & Celtic Festival

From the skirl of bagpipes to the rush of live jousting on horseback, swooping falcons, kilt races, dance competitions, rocking bands, whisky tastings and culturally relevant fair food, the Ohio Scottish Games & Celtic Festival will transport you to centuries-old Celtic Lands. The magic takes place Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28, at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds.

“The good news is you don’t have to be Celtic to have the time of your life,” says Barry Conway, vice president of the games, as well as an accomplished bagpiper who competed in the very first games 48 years ago. 

The Spectacle of Mounted Combat 

“Jousting is one of the most thrilling competitions, with knights charging each other on horseback trying to knock the other off, while scoring points with lance strikes,” says Barry, noting the games are on Saturday throughout the fairgrounds and in the grandstands.

Other judged events that are exciting to watch and are done the same way they were centuries ago include Caber (Gaelic for tree) Toss, Hammer Throw, Stone Put and Sheaf Toss.

“We’re bringing back what was a new attraction last year and a huge hit, the Birds of Prey demonstration and exhibit with the Ohio School of Falconry,” he says.

A Calling of the Clans

Kicking off the festival just after sunset on Friday night, this traditional torch ceremony commemorates the way the clans would gather—in a time without cellphones—to signify a special occasion, maybe the birth of a clan chief’s child or call to arms.

“Today it celebrates the connections we share between family, heritage and community,” says Barry. “Each of the 25 clans that have registered comes up and takes their torch.”

On Saturday, during the Grand Parade at noon, 20 live bands will perform.

Haggis, Anyone?

Amongst the 50 food and retail vendors, don’t miss Haggis Hut, which offers chips made of Haggis (oatmeal and spices cooked inside a sheep’s stomach), Cameron’s Scottish Market from the East Coast, offering famous meat pies, and Sully’s from Medina with fish and chips.

“One of the most popular attractions is the Whisky Tasting,” says Barry. “We bring in six single malt scotch whiskeys for people to savor. Only 300 sample tickets are sold. Our beer stands are a great complement to the hearty fare, too.” This event has sold out each year.

A host of retailers will also be on hand offering clothing, home décor, art and all things Scottish, Irish and Welsh.

“As a family-friendly festival, we offer something for all ages, with pet exhibitions including Irish wolfhounds and Scottish terriers to Clydesdale horses and Highland cattle,” he says. “New this year is the Great Lakes Puppet Theater, which will perform productions of Rumpelstiltskin and Little Red Riding Hood. Several of the Highland Games, like Tug-O-War, are scaled down for kids ages 2-11 to join in the fun. Music acts like Devil's Brigade, Prodigals, and On the Lash will be performing all weekend.

The festival closes in a blaze of glory Saturday with the Twilight Tattoo, which features 20 pipe bands plus harpists, fiddlers, highland dancers and the Brass Band of the Western Reserve.

The Ohio Scottish Games & Celtic Festival will go on rain or shine Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28, at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, 19201 E. Bagley Road in Berea. Dogs are allowed to attend. For more information, go to OhioScottishGames.com. You can buy your tickets online or at the door. Prices range from $10 for juniors ages 11-17 and $22 for adults. Children 10 and under are free.