September 16-17, 2016

www.celtichighlandgames.org

Celtic Festival and Highland Games

of the Quad Cities

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SponsorsThe Celtic Cultures Alliance of the Quad Cities

and the planning committee for the Celtic

Festival and Highland Games of the Quad Cities

would like to thank all of our sponsors, without

whom this event would not be possible.

Friends of the Festival

Platinum Graphics

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Sponsors

Kyle Hans

Mark McVey

Ken Ohr

Sandy Swanson

Andrew Thomas

Chick and Ty Thompson

Colona Chiropractic

Sheep Herding Demonstration

Special Highland Games

Strongman Demonstrations

Tug of War CompetitionBonnie Knees ContestCeltic Princess Contest

Champagne Academy of Irish Dance

Colleen’s School of Clogging and Celtic Dance

Introduction to Highland Dance

Iowa State University Celtic Dance Society

Laural Almquist

Mayer School of Irish Dance

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Schedule

Celtic Festival and Highland Games Schedule

Animals Field

Sheep Herding Demonstration Animals Field

Sheep Herding Demonstration Animals Field

Sheep Herding Demonstration Animals Field

Scottish Heavy Athletics Competition Athletics Area

Dance TentDance Tent

Dance Tent

Dance Tent

Dance Tent

Dance Tent

Dance Tent

Dance Tent

Dance Tent

Dance Tent

Dance Tent

Dance Tent

Dance TentDance Tent

Champagne Academy of Irish Dance

Introduction to Highland Dance

Introduction to Highland Dance

Iowa State University Celtic Dance Society

Laural Almquist

Laural Almquist

Barrule

Exorna

Lilywren

The Beggarmen

The Gothard Sisters

Turas

Wylde Nept

Black Hawk Pipes and Drums

Clan Displays

Parade of Tartans

Vendor Booths

Beornve Belegarth medieval Combat SocietyBlacksmithing Demonstrations

Society for Creative Anachronisms

Third Iowa Cavalry

Truck Pull for QC Operation Military KidsDavenport Library Celtic Heritage Trail

Introduction to Bagpipes

Introduction to Hammered Dulcimer

Introduction to Highland Dance

Introduction to Irish Language

Main Stage

10:00AM 10:30AM

11:30AM 12:00PM

1:30PM 2:00PM

3:00PM 3:30PM

9:00AM 5:00PM9:00AM 5:00PM

5:15PM 7:30PM

1:00PM 4:00PM12:45PM 1:00PM12:30PM 12:45PM

1:30PM 2:00PM

3:30PM 4:00PM

2:30PM 3:00PM

10:00AM 10:30AM

11:00AM 11:30AM

12:00PM 12:30PM

11:30AM 12:00PM

1:30PM1:00PM

2:30PM2:00PM

3:30PM3:00PM

4:00PM 4:30PM4:30PM 5:00PM

Athletics Area

Athletics Area

Athletics Area

Barrule Main Stage

9:00PM7:00PM

3:00PM 4:30PM

Main Stage

Exorna Main Stage 6:30PM

4:30PM

5:00PM

3:00PM

Main Stage

Main Stage

Main Stage

Main Stage

Main Stage

9:00AM

11:00AM

10:30AM

12:30PM

2:30PM1:00PM

6:30PM5:00PM

9:00PM7:00PM

Family Activities

Family Activities

Pony Rides

Pony Rides

Family Area

Family Area

Family Area

Family Area

3:00PM 7:00PM

9:00AM 5:00PM

9:00AM 11:30AM

12:30PM 2:00PM

Vendor Area

Vendor Area

Vendor Area

Vendor Area

Vendor Area

Vendor Area

Vendor Area

Vendor Area

Black Hawk Pipes and Drums

Clan Displays

Vendor Booths

10:30AM

2:30PM

3:00PM 6:00PM

3:15PM

11:15PM

9:00AM 5:00PM

12:30PM12:00PM

5:30PM 7:30PM

3:00PM 6:00PM

9:00AM 5:00PM

Living History

Living History

Living History

Living History

Living History

Living History

Living HistoryBeornve Belegarth medieval Combat Society

Blacksmithing DemonstrationsThird Iowa Cavalry

3:00PM 7:00PM

9:00AM 6:00PM

3:00PM 7:00PM

9:00AM 7:00PM

9:00AM 6:00PM

3:00PM 7:00PM

9:00AM 7:00PM

Workshops Tent

Workshops Tent

Workshops Tent

Workshops Tent

Workshops Tent

Workshops Tent

Workshops Tent

Workshops Tent

Davenport Library Celtic Heritage Trail

Introduction to Hammered Dulcimer

Introduction to Irish Language

6:00PM 7:00PM

10:00AM 11:00AM

1:00PM 2:00PM

10:00AM9:00AM

4:00PM 5:00PM

2:00PM 2:30PM

11:00AM 12:00PM

4:00PM3:00PM

Saturday

Friday

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Athletics

Weight Throw

Scottish Weight throws are the origin of the NCAA

track weight throw. The weight throw was also

contested in the Olympics until the 1920 Games. A

heavy (56 lbs) and light (28 lbs) metal implement is

thrown for distance. The weight is thrown one-

handed from behind the toe board with a nine-foot

run up allowed. Any style may be used, but the most

popular and efficient is to spin like a discus thrower.

The contestants are judged on the longest of the

three throws.

Weight Toss

This event is often called the Test of Champions as

it is usually the last contested and tests the athlete’s

endurance and mental fortitude to dig down and find

that little extra. The 56 pound weight used for

distance event is also tossed for height. This event is

periodically appears in the World Strongest Man

Competition. With heights thrown over 15 feet, this

event is akin to throwing a car battery onto a

highway overpass. The highest toss wins.

Clachneart & Braemar Stone

These ancient events are evolved into the modern

day shot-put. A stone is used instead of a steel ball.

The stone must be 'put' from the front of the

shoulder using only one hand. The contestants are

judged on the longest of the three throws.

A 16 to 22 pound stone is used for the Clachneart,

which allows a seven-and-a-half foot run-up to a toe-

board. The Braemar stone is a standing throw using

a heavier, 22 to 30 pound stone.

Sheaf Toss

The Sheaf Toss uses a hay fork to toss a 16 to 20

pond sheaf (burlap bag full of twine) for height.

Competitors can launch the sheaf over 30 feet in the

air. An unusual aspect of this event is that any

competitor may use any other competitor’s fork. The

highest toss wins. It can be easily believed that this

event comes from farmer tradition of launching

sheafs of grain into the loft of a barn.

Chiropractic Services to Heavy

Athletics provided by

Dr. Jennifer Levan of Natural Health

Improvement Center of the Quad Cities

Massage Therapy Services to

Heavy Athletics provided by

Marge Gast, of NuLooks Day Spa

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Athletics

Hammer Throw

The Scottish hammer is metal ball weighing 16 or 22

pounds (9 and 12 pounds for women) on a 50-inch

long shaft and is thrown for distance. The

contestants are judged on the longest of three

throws. The hammer is thrown over the shoulder

with the competitors back facing the field. The

hammer is whirled in circles about the competitor’s

body from over his head to down in front of his feet,

each time picking up speed until the release.

Caber Toss

The Caber Toss is the signature event of heavy

Athletics. This event requires raw strength, balance,

and coordination to pick up a 15-20 foot tall tapered

pole weighing 90 to 140 pounds and flipping it end

over end. This event is done for accuracy not

distance or height. The best turn of the caber is

when the smaller end held by the competitor is

propelled end over end and lands directly away from

the competitor as if it was a clock hand pointing at

12:00.

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Living History

Beornve Medieval

Combat

Beornve is a Realm of the Belegarth Medieval

Combat Society located in the Quad Cities (Iowa/

Illinois). This sport is intended to recreate Medieval

fighting in such a way it is safe, fun, easy to learn,

and easy to play. Belegarth is a FULL contact sport

using foam based weapons that meet a strict safety

standard.

in with the boys. At events, we try to maintain a living history environment within our camp to use as

a medium to help educate people on the lifestyle and conditions of the 1860's. Such as open fire

cooking, care and firing of period weapons, maintenance of equpiment and uniforms, sewing, even

period card and children games. Not quite sure what we mean by, "maintain a living history

environment", well to best explain it, a Living Historian, is an amateur historian who interprets and

teaches in a whole new way. As a living historian, you become that soldier or civilian, a time

traveler so to speak. And as you go through the day to day activities as they would of done back

then, you teach with the 5 senses: sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. Which can leave a

haunting impression of life during the Civil War, upon those who experience it at an event.

3rd

Iowa Cavalry

Our unit, portrays the troopers of Company D,

one of the twelve companies of the Third Iowa

Cavalry Volunteer Regiment. We have those

with horse (mounted) and those without

(dismounted). At events we portray a garrison

style camp, so you'll find the trooper's ladies,

wives and children in camp as well.

Our unit is one that reveals what is sometime

hidden within the folds of history. Within one of

those folds, you'll find the woman soldier. Our

unit strives to honor that woman soldier and her

service to her country. We do our best to blend

Blacksmithing

Mitch, with iron running in his veins, has been

blacksmithing for over 20 years. An engineer by

day, he believes that blacksmithing is what he

was put on earth to do. His continuing education

with many smiths over the years has inspired

him to teach aspiring and experienced smiths

alike.

The Society for Creative

AnachronismThe Society for Creative Anachronism is an international

organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the

arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe. Our “Known

World” consists of 20 kingdoms, with over 30,000

members residing in countries around the world.

Members, dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and

Renaissance, attend events which feature tournaments,

royal courts, feasts, dancing, various classes &

workshops, and more.

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Family

Black Hawk

Pipes and Drums

of the Quad Cities

THE BAND began in 2000, under the initial

sponsorship of the Scottish American Society of the

Quad Cities and we are now in our thirteenth year of

parades and concerts in the Iowa/ Illinois region

known as the "Quad Cities" and other surrounding

communities.

Sheep Herding

Come watch a demonstration of the art of sheep

herding by Claycreek Farm. A well-trained

herding dog works in partnership with its handler

and obeys commands to perform its job.

Properly trained, the dog is able to move the

sheep just about anywhere. Good herding dogs

control sheep with calm authority and without

excessive "commotion." A poorly trained dog

has the opposite effect on the sheep.

Bonnie Knees ContestIn this competition, the contestants will be

be hidden with only their legs showing and a

winner will be chosen by applause. The

bonnie knees contest has become a regular

part of many worldwide Scottish games

competitions in a number of countries. The

Bonnie Knees Contest will be held on the

Dance Tent Stage starting at 12:45 pm. All

participants must be 21 or older.

Celtic Princess ContestFor girls 13 and younger. Dress in your

Celtic finest! The winner will be chosen

based off of whoever best embodies the

Celtic spirit. Winner will receive crown,

scepter, sash and will be in the parade of

tartans in 2016! The Celtic Princess Contest

will be held on the Dance Tent Stage

starting at 12:30 pm.

Family ActivitiesVisit the family activities tent for a variety of kid-

friendly Celtic fun! Take some time to decorate

sugar cookies. Craft your very own sword and

shield to take with you. The Celtic Mini-Highland

Games will be featured this year, be sure to

bring the little ones by to try their hand at the

min-caber toss, stone throw, and sheaf toss.

Ride ponies with the Quad Cities Pony Club,

and get your face painted while waiting in line.

Celtic Festival and

Highland Games

Come Back Next Year

www.celtichighlandgames.org

Centennial Park

Davenport, IA

September 15-16, 2017

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Dance

Colleen’s Clogging and Celtic

Colleen's Clogging & Celtic (C3) is a group of dancers

who perform the beautiful, fun, and energizing styles of

Irish Step Dance, Scottish Sword Dance and American

Clogging. Colleen’s teaches its dancers the fun and

beautiful dance traditions of Irish Step Dancing, Highland

Sword Dancing, and American Clogging. Our dancers

have performed at private and community events, semi-

pro basketball halftime shows, in Walt Disney World, and

have traveled across the Midwest and toured Ireland

performing live in concert with Celtic music duo

Switchback. Our dancers have won many awards in

national competitions.

Champagne Academy of Irish

Dance

Champagne Academy of Irish Dance is a

performing Irish dance school located in Iowa

City, Iowa with lessons for both children and

adults. Though a new school, they have already

had the pleasure to work with both local and

international performers such as: The

Beggarmen, PaddyMac, Lunasa, Gaelic Storm,

Cara Butler, and The Chieftains.

Mayer School of Irish Dance

Brother and sister, John and Mary Mayer, started the

Mayer School of Irish Dancing in 1980. Today the

Mayer School of Irish Dancing has over 250 students

in 4 states. Our dancers perform at many functions

throughout the year, such as festivals, weddings,

nursing homes, sporting events and many more. Many

of our students actively compete as well - at the local,

National and International levels. We are proud to say

that our dancers have won regional and national titles,

as well as place at the World Championships each

year.

ISU Celtic Dance Society

The Celtic Dance Society is an organization

whose members share an interest in Irish Ceili

and Scottish Country and other traditional

dances and music of the British Isles. The Celtic

Dance Society is registered as a student

organization with the Iowa State University

Student Organizations and Activities Center.

Colleen’s photo

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Entertainment

The BeggarmenThe Beggarmen have been known as one of the region’s best Irish music ensembles for over a decade. Since their first performance at a small pub in Iowa, the band has gone on to headline at folk festivals and concert halls throughout the Midwest, greeting audiences with their unique style of Irish folk music. The Beggarmen features Brad Pouleson, Keith Reins, Tara McGovern, and Joe Dutcher"

Laural AlmquistLaural first heard the harp when she was 4 while in

Chicago. Instantly there was a connection. She told

her grandma that someday "she wanted to play

angel wing music". She started playing at the age of

10. Don't let this 16 year old fool you. She is

becoming an accomplished Harpist. Last year,

Laural auditioned for IMEA, and competed against

several other harpists and got the role as Harpist in

an advanced Student Orchestra. Her highlight of

2015 so far was producing her first CD, which is

currently being edited and polished.

TurasMeaning trip or journey in Gaelic, Turas is, a

journey of friends who gather to share songs,

stories, and good times (what the Irish call

craic). Playing a wide variety of Irish/Celtic

music, Turas never fails to deliver on good

music and good times. So sit back, draw

yourself a pint, and join us in the journey.

LilywrenThe band Lilywren is a group of 4-6 people that

plays traditional Celtic music on a wide variety of

instruments from hurdy-gurdys to bodhrans.

They started playing in Mount Vernon 3 years ago

under the name Celtic Mosh Pit. There are four core

members (plus an occasional hammer dulcimer

player) who play fiddle, guitar, flute, bouzouki,

bodhran, hurdy gurdy, mandolin, banjo, and tin

whistle. Their music is a mixture of traditional music

from the British Isles and beyond.

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Entertainment

The Gothard Sisters The Gothard Sisters

The Gothard SistersOver the course of nearly 1,000 shows since they formed

as a Celtic band in 2006, The Gothard Sisters – who are

truly sisters – have become internationally recognized as

multi-instrumentalist Celtic-influenced folk musicians,

songwriters, and performers from the Pacific Northwest,

USA.

Regularly performing more than 120 shows a year, the

Gothard Sisters have built a loyal following by connecting

with audiences in a lively, entertaining and touching way.

In 2013, the Irish Music Awards presented the Gothard

Sisters with Best New Irish Artist, and they were awarded

with Album of the Year for Celtic Radio in 2011 for their with Album of the Year for Celtic Radio in 2011 for their album Story Girl. In addition to their musical endeavors, each of

the sisters are highly trained in competitive Irish dance, bringing the heart-pounding rhythms of Ireland to their live

shows for a dynamic surprise to keep the audience at the edge of their seats.

The Gothard Sisters pay respect to old traditions with folk instruments, while infusing them with a radiant joy and

reintroducing them through beautiful new arrangements. Although much of the sisters’ inspiration comes with a distinct

Celtic flair, hints of their western American heritage can be heard in what Irish Central calls “an earthiness that gives the

songs a lively, approachable, down-home sound.” Firmly rooted in Classical and Folk music from a young age, Greta,

Willow and Solana Gothard have each developed skills on multiple instruments to express their musical ideas. “We are

on a never ending path of musical discovery,” says Greta Gothard. “Where will it lead? Anywhere is fine with me as long

as we stay true to ourselves and our authentic style.” “What I love about Celtic music is how it is filled with such hope,”

says Willow Gothard. “Even though the songs may be about low or difficult times, there is always that underlying

optimism that is completely infectious and lifts the spirits. It’s wonderful!”

Exorna

Front man Victor McMullan grew up singing with his friends in the pubs of Northern Ireland, and he

understands that when people spend their hard-earned money on a night out, they want to have a good

time; they want to laugh, sing, and be part of the show. For a decade, Exorna has been leaving people

with smiles on their faces, playing music that is authentic and down to earth, singing songs loaded with

humor and sentimentality, fiddlling tunes Irish dancers can dance to, and doing it all on traditional

instruments. Victor and his crew are keeping alive a truly vanishing art form, and have practiced their craft

at pubs, festivals, wakes, public television, and everywhere in between!

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Entertainment

Wylde NeptWylde Nept was started when a few of the guys found each other during a camping trip at a Celtic music festival and

have been playing ever since. Their music, primarily inspired by traditional folk, is lively, fun and sure get your face

smiling and foot tapping. Seemingly with out effort this band is able to take a crowded room of people from all different

back grounds and ages and transport them all to a different place. The music starts and people seem to forget about

their daily problems and issues and raise a glass with someone they may or may not even know and begin to sing along

to an Irish tune. They have been called a folk band, rock band, and have even opened for Fog Hat once upon a time.

But they don’t just perform the music, or try to re-create the songs how they may have originally been presented.

Instead they capture the feeling behind the songs and do an incredible job at putting it to music and sucking in the

audience.

BarruleSteeped in the history and mythology of its Celtic and

Viking ancestry, the Isle of Man sits quietly in the Irish

Sea. Continuously self-governed since its parliament was

created by Viking invaders over a thousand years ago,

few people outside the Isle of Man know of this singular

culture: a language and music so nearly lost, born through

recent generations on the tongues of a mere handful of

families, it now grows strong again.

On the South of the island lies a summit scarred by the

ruins of a once imposing iron-age hill fort. The old stories

claim that atop this peak, named 'South Barrule', the

Celtic God Manannan Mac Lir once dwelt, casting out his

cloak of mist to shelter the island and its people from invasion. This inspirational landscape embodies the powerful and

striking experience of Barrule in concert.

A fusion of three distinct musical forces – Mabon front-man and accordion wizard Jamie Smith, gifted young fiddle-

player Tomas Callister and versatile accompanist Adam Rhodes (Mabon) on bouzouki – Barrule's fresh approach to

traditional Manx music evokes an atmosphere that reflects the diverse natural beauty of the island: from rousing

marches, jigs and reels to sorrowful slow airs and beautiful songs sung in both English and the Manx Gaelic language.

Stories are told of ancient Celtic Gods, of unrequited love, of the toils of island life. And always the sea is close by.

Formed in 2012, Barrule’s three legs have hit the ground running with major festival appearances including Celtic

Connections, WOMAD Charlton Park, Sidmouth Folk Festival, Festival Interceltique de Lorient and the National Celtic

Festival in Melbourne. Their debut self-titled album won many plaudits and has been awarded ‘Best Debut’ in the Spiral

Earth awards 2014. Recorded in the historic St. Bridget's Chapel on the Isle of Man's Nunnery grounds, the trio's hotly

anticipated second album Manannan's Cloak was released in May 2015.

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