Grab a kilt and head to the Flathead Celtic Festival
The Caber Toss —One of the Highland games and one of the best-known Celtic competitions. (Photo courtesy of Leif Appling)
The Flathead Celtic Festival Grand Entrance. Flags and pipers lead the parade at noon Saturday to usher in the start of the games. Clans, families and athletes follow. (Photo courtesy of Leif Appling)
Weight over Bar Highland Game, also known as Weight for Height. The athletes attempt to toss a 56-pound (4-stone) weight with an attached handle over a horizontal bar using only one hand. Each athlete is allowed three attempts at each height. Successful clearance of the height allows the athlete to advance into the next round at a greater height. The competition is determined by the highest successful toss with fewest misses being used to break tie scores. (Photo courtesy of Julie Tuck)
The annual Flathead Celtic Festival converges on a new venue for 2019. The two-day event will be held at Centennial Farm, 563 McMannamy Draw in Kalispell.
Festivities are from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14. The Celtic Festival is open to the public. Admission is free and ample parking is available.
The festivities include Highland Games, live Celtic music, Irish and Highland dancing, Parade of Clans, family and educational tents, food, beer, crafts and Celtic wares vendors, Highland dance, free kids games and activities, and fun for the whole family. There will be bagpipe music performed through the day Saturday.
Main Stage schedule
Friday, Sept. 13
3 p.m. — McKenna Flannigan and Daniel Stark
4 p.m. — Chance Cole
5 p.m. — Montana Shamrockers
Saturday, Sept. 14
9:30 a.m. — Folk and Fun
11 a.m. Kalispell Irish Dancers
11:30 a.m. — Missoula Highland Dancers
Noon — Opening ceremony with Parade of Clans
1 p.m. — Missoula Irish Dancers
2 p.m. — Tra Le Gael
3:30 p.m. — Top House
5 p.m. — HIghland Athletics Awards