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BEVERLY -- Organizers and attendees alike are getting ready for the 2023 West Virginia Wild and Wonderful Celtic Festival and Highland Games, set for Saturday at 4-H Camp Pioneer.
Officials expect up to 1,800 people to take part in the all-day extravaganza, which will feature Celtic ancestry tents, clan villages, highland dancing, live Celtic music, storytelling, blacksmith demonstrations, Celtic food and merchandise and much more.
On Friday, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., the gates will open for vendors, participants and campers to set up. All should check in at the Festival Office.
At 9 p.m. Friday the camp will be closed. Late Friday or early Saturday check-ins must be pre-arranged by calling 304-641-8770.
The event schedule for Saturday includes:
Main Gate Festival Entrance:
6-9 a.m. – Gates open for 5K, rugby, Highland games, vendors, clans, and participants to register for events and start setup. Information and check-ins at Festival Office.
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Gates open to the public. Tickets available at the gate. Cash or credit/debit cards accepted at entrance.
All activities will pause for the playing of the National Anthems.
Laurel Pavilion:
6:30 – 8:30 a.m. – Kilted 5K Registration
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. – Start Kilted 5K Run at Laurel Pavilion.
3 p.m. – Until all prizes are found. $100 Four Leaf Clover Hunt kids 15 and under. Children up to 5 years old start first. 6 to 10 years old start 2 minutes later. 11 to 15 years old start with a 5-minute delay.
Loch Ness Pond:
9 – 11 a.m. – Kids ages 15 and under. Catch a Loch Ness Monster and Unicorn hunt.
Noon – 7 p.m. – Kids ages 15 and under. Catch a Loch Ness Monster and the Unicorn hunt continues.
Parade/Games Field:
8 – 11 a.m. – Heavy Athletics competition begins at Main Field. Traditional Celtic competitions test the strength and skill of our kilted competitors. Various competitions such as the stone throw, sheaf toss, hammer throw and caber toss (throwing the phone pole) take place throughout the day in varying order depending on the condition of the ground and the number of competitors.
11 – 11:15 a.m. – Parade of Tartans. Clans and Bands. The Clans, escorted by the Pipe and Drum Bands lead the procession onto the parade field, with a multitude of Clans present, followed by all the attending Bagpipe bands marching onto the field in formation and playing several traditional tunes.
11:15 - 11:45 a.m. – Massed Bands. Hear the stirring sounds of pipers and drummers echoing through the surrounding valley. National Anthem.
11:45 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Heavy Athletics competition resumes.
4 – 4:30 p.m. – Closing Ceremony and Final Massed Bands performance. All the participating bagpipe bands march onto the field in formation and play a massed performance. Winners of the Honor Band and Honor Clan for 2023 will be announced. Closing remarks will be followed by an Amazing Grace Tribute to our heroes before marching off in formation.
4:30 – 5 p.m. – Tug-of-War events at Main Field. Open to all children 15 and under. Kid vs the Heavy Athletes. Kids games will begin immediately after the heavy games end. This time will change accordingly.
5 – 5:30 p.m. – Kids Highland Games. Signups at the Festival Office throughout the day. Kids games will begin immediately after the heavy games end. This time will change accordingly.
Dance Stage:
9:45 – 10 a.m. – Appalachian Scottish Princess. Dance performance by Scotland's most famous princess.
10 - 10:45 a.m. – Highland Dancing. West Virginia Highland Dancers. Demonstrations in multiple categories of traditional Scottish dances, like the Sword Dance and Highland Fling.
11 a.m. - Noon – Opening Ceremony and Introduction of Clans.
Noon - 12:30 p.m. – Appalachian Clogging. Lincoln County Cloggers. Demonstrations in traditional Appalachian clogging.
12:30 – 1 p.m. – Cutting of the Haggis
1 - 1:30 p.m. – Ladies Haggis Toss. A perennial fan favorite. Ladies of all ages are invited to sign up (at the Festival Office) and compete for prizes. Best of two throws of a 2-pound sandbag (haggis) is measured for distance. Longest throw.
1:30 – 1:45 p.m. – Appalachian Scottish Princess. Dance performance by Scotland's most famous princess.
1:45 – 2:30 p.m. – Highland Dancing. West Virginia Highland Dancers. Demonstrations in multiple categories of traditional Scottish dances, like the Sword Dance and Highland Fling.
2:30 – 3:15 p.m. – Appalachian Clogging Lincoln County Cloggers. Demonstrations in traditional Appalachian clogging.
4:30 – 7 p.m. – Sign Up for dance lessons. A chance to sign up for Highland dance or Appalachian Clogging classes.
Rugby Field:
8 – 9 a.m. – Rugby Games Registration
9 - 11 a.m. – Rugby Games
Noon – 4 p.m. – Rugby Games resume
Vendors Market:
9 a.m.- 7 p.m. – Vendors Market open with vendors offering a wide variety of Celtic foods, goods, books, music, clothing and jewelry.
Clan Village:
9 - 11 a.m. – Clan Village opens to the public. Come and find which Clan your family name is associated with and find out more about your extended family in the old country and its role in Celtic history.
9 - 11 a.m. – Celtic Genealogy assistance and guidelines for research at heritage/genealogy tent.
Noon – 7 p.m. – Clan Village reopens to the public.
Noon – 7 p.m. – Celtic Genealogy assistance and guidelines reopens for research at heritage/genealogy tent.
Kids' Corner:
11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Meet a Scottish Princess. Get your picture with a princess. Celtic stories, dancing, fun and games with Scotland's most famous princess.
9 – 11 a.m. – Cartoon Art with J.D. Williamson. Stories, painting, and kids' games.
9 – 11 a.m. – Children's Games at Kids Corner. A free activity for the little ones.
Noon – 7 p.m. – Resume. Children's Games at Kids Corner. A free activity for the little ones.
Noon – 7 p.m. – Cartoon Art with J.D. Williamson resume at kids' corner
Noon – 4 p.m. – Meet a Scottish Princess. Get your picture with a princess. Celtic stories, dancing, fun and games with Scotland's most famous princess.
Livestock Barn:
9 – 11 a.m. – Highland Cows exhibit.
9 – 10 a.m. – Sheep and duck herding demonstrations
Noon – 7 p.m. – Highland Cows at the Livestock Barn
Noon – 1 p.m. – Sheep and duck herding demonstrations
Music Stage:
9 – 9:45 a.m. – Iona
10 – 10:45 a.m. – Aurora Celtic
Noon – 12:45 p.m. – Across the Pond
1 – 1:45 p.m. – The Low Kings
2 – 2:45 p.m. – Iona
3 – 4 p.m. – Poehemia
4:15 – 5 p.m. – The Low Kings
5:15 – 6 p.m. – Aurora Celtic
6:15 – 7 p.m. – Across the Pond
Pet Cooling Area:
8 a.m. – 7 p.m. – Shade water and treats for our furry friends.
8 – 11 a.m. – Meet Flokie the famous wolfhound and his furry friends.
1 – 2 p.m. – Pet party. Show off your pet. Pet show. Prizes awarded.
Noon – 7 p.m. – Meet Flokie the famous wolfhound and his furry friends.
Beer Garden:
9 a.m. – 7 p.m.