A new competition is making its debut during this year’s Celtic
Festival in Elizabeth.
Now people of all ages can compete in the haggis tossing
competition during the festival on July 18 and 19 at Casey Jones
Park in Elizabeth.
Haggis tossing is the act of throwing a haggis loaf which is a
traditional Scottish dish about the size of a pound cake. Men and
women as well as children can enter the competition for $5 to test
how far they can throw the haggis. Neil Gillette, president of the
Elizabeth Celtic Festival, said Elizabeth is the first location in
Colorado to have the haggis tossing competition and he is excited
to bring the Scottish tradition to Elizabeth.
“There are a lot of great Celtic festivals in Colorado,” he
said. “But it’s great to have something that will set us a part
from all of the other festivals.”
Along with the haggis tossing, the 2009 Elizabeth Celtic
Festival will have caber tossing, hammer throwing and sheaf tossing
competitions. Traditional and modern Celtic music from a variety of
bands as well as piping competitions will set the mood of the
festival. And highland dancers will take the stage performing
traditional dances for entertainment.
“This festival is all about culture and tradition and people and
families enjoying themselves,” Gillette said. “Out festival is set
in the forest of Casey Jones Park really making the atmosphere feel
timeless and magical.”
The second day of the festival a non-denominational church
service will take place around 9 a.m. and any person who arrives to
the festival between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. will have free admission.
All military personal get half-price tickets.
For more information and a complete schedule of the Celtic
Festival visit www.elizabethcelticfestival.com.
The 2009 Elizabeth Celtic Festival
When: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. July 18 and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. July
19
Where: Casey Jones Park off highway 86 in Elizabeth
Tickets: adults $10, seniors $5, teenagers (13-17) $5 and 12 and
under free
Half-price military discount
Festival
