Category: Travel

By Ray Pearson

“I love coming to this event. It’s like taking my tummy on a tour of foreign countries. The desserts are my favorite”, gushed 10-year old Ernie Ripko, from Southern California, at last year’s Arizona Highland Celtic Festival. Celtic snacks, entrees, and desserts are the culinary main attractions at this annual event. This year’s festival takes place July 16 and 17 at Foxglenn Park in Flagstaff.

For the Northern Arizona Celtic Heritage Society, Celtic (“kel-tik”) refers to a celebration of the culture of eight regions in Western Europe, created in Roman times. In today’s world, they are the countries of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the regions of Cornwall (England), Brittany (France), Asturias and Galicia (both in Spain), and the Isle of Man.

“It’s very important to us that our food vendors present authenticity and the highest quality of foods representing the Celtic regions”, says Jude McKenzie, president of the society.

Available to festival goers is a variety of hearty meat and shepherd’s pies, sausage rolls, corned beef, beef burgers from the shaggy, long-horned Highland “coos”, and shrimp, chicken, or fish, all served with a side of chips (French fries). The Scottish conundrum known as haggis is also available. Despite major eye-rolling of (usually uninformed) naysayers, haggis is a tasty, hash-like meat dish (best enjoyed with a single malt Scotch). When it comes to those desserts young Ernie is so fond of, he’s in good company. Welsh cakes, cooked on a griddle and served warm, are made in various flavors including raisin, cinnamon, and lemon, topped with sugar. Shortcake, a cousin of Scottish shortbread, is served with strawberries and whipped cream. Reminiscent of the way special ice cream treats that are served throughout the UK, the ice cream vendor serves soft ice cream with tangy flavors, colorfully swirled around the outside of the cone or dish.

When it comes to beverages, McKenzie lights up. “We believe we are the only Celtic festival that serves alcoholic beverages representing all eight regions. At two locations on the field, we present ‘Spirits of the Celtic Regions’, served by knowledgeable staff.” Whiskies, wines and brandy represent most of regions. Perhaps the most unusual drink comes from the Isle of Man. ManX Spirit is actually a proprietary blend of various Scotch and Irish whiskies, with the color removed. Three different Irish beers, along with soft drinks, round out the drinks available at the festival.

 Click here for more information about the Arizona Highland Celtic Festival such as location, hours, and activities.

By Ray Pearson with Photos By Betsey Bruner

Overheard at last year’s festival:

• “C’mon, Dad, I want to learn more about raptors and geology.”
• “Did you know a labyrinth is a maze?”
• “That kid over there is younger than me, and she’s playing the bagpipe. Can I do it?”

Nope, the Arizona Highland Celtic Festival is not a super camp for young brainiacs and prodigies. One of the things it is, however, is a once-a-year opportunity for families and folks of all ages to become immersed in “things Celtic”. In fact, the motto of the group presenting the festival is “To present, promote, and preserve Celtic culture.” This is usually done through fun activities, where the learning sneaks in the back door.

An exotic bird show is a major educational attraction

For the little ones, The Kids’ Area offers a wide range of interactive situations like digging for potatoes in Ireland (actually a kiddie pool filled with wood chips, hiding real potatoes). For the little- bit-older set, there’s the oatmeal toss, with gallons of the gooey stuff available to lob at ogres and denizens of Celtic mythology (and learn the importance of the humble food in Celtic history.)

Get your kids excited about careers in agriculture!

Single malt whisky tastings,  black powder firing re-enactments, spinning and weaving demonstrations, and the straight-backed, shoe-clacking precision of Irish dancers are just a few of the crowd-pleasing activities happening throughout the weekend. Over the years, workshops have become immensely popular. This year nearly a dozen will be offered, including hands-on opportunities to play the musical bones, spoons and the bodhran, learn about Celtic salt and how it’s harvested from the sea in several Celtic regions, and hear tales of Celtic myths, legends, heroes and villains.

A black powder demo for the gun lovers

Jewels in the festival crown include athletic competitions (brawny guys do not throw telephone poles, they toss the caber), Highland dance competitions (did you know the Highland Fling is based on a war dance?), and Piping and Drumming competitions. Clans (families sharing a common ancestry) and Celtic organizations welcome guests to discover genealogy, family history, and modern-day links to the Old World.

You’ll never look at another telephone pole without thinking, “How far could I throw that?”

Authentic, high-quality food and merchandise, representative of the Celtic regions, are the mainstays in the vendors area, along with opportunities for such unusual things as printing your personal coat of arms and family history. This year, the insanely popular Wicked Tinkers and the always fun, Knockabouts, will get the crowds into the spirit of the weekend. New entertainers include Bua, a group of Irish singers, and Tramor, a group of pan-Celtic performers, including a Welsh bag-piper.