Cortez’s Celtic Fair, billed as “the fastest-growing Celtic festival in the Southwest,” will take place Saturday, June 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Parque de Vida.
The festival will include a Highland Games competition, Highland dance competition, Celtic bands, clan tents, an animal exhibit and kids’ activities.
The event will also include food and snack vendors, along with merchandise vendors. All beer proceeds will be donated to local charities Montezuma County Health Food Pantry and Good Sam’s Food Pantry.
According to their website, the festival has donated more than $6,300 to the community from past events.
The Highland Games, which will include shot put, caber toss, sheaf toss and hammer throw, will take place from 9 a.m. until completion. Those who wish to register and compete can register on their website https://ironpodium.com/browse/event/cortez-celtic-fair-highland-games-1.
The event will even include a Highland dance competition which will take place in the Cortez Recreation Center gym, hosted by Highland Dance Albuquerque. The competition will take place from 9 a.m. until completion, and there will be a Highland dance demonstration in the amphitheater from 2:30-3 p.m.
A Cornhole Tourney will be part of the event as well.
Live music will take place throughout the day by Celtic and Gaelic bands. Ga Greine will perform from 9 to 10:15 a.m. and from 4:30 to 5 p.m. Other bands are Truckley Howe, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.; The Bowmaneers, 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.; and the Westwind Pipes and Drums, 10:30 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 1:30 p.m.
Demonstrations in armored combat will take place from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 1:30 to 2:15 p.m.
Those participating in the armored combat are in a club affiliated with the national organization Armored Combat Worldwide. They will perform wearing traditional knight armor, use medieval weapons and have full-contact “fights.”
Activities for the kids include archery with the help of the Montezuma County 4H Bulls-eyes archery team and tug-of-war.
An animal exhibit displayed by local A&C Milling will have Highland cattle present.
The food and snack vendors who will be at the event are Kuchu’s Restaurant, The Crazy Coop, Juicy’s Shanty, My Huckleberries Farm, RockN DJ Smashed Lemonade, Cold Stone and 4 Corners’ Kettle Corn.
Merchandise vendors include Jeansonnes Fine Design, Wild Wood Hand Crafted Pottery and Fine Art, Silverleaf Creations, Bella Creations, Adrina Richardson/Mischief Manor, Joshua Glen, Beechwood Carve and Scroll/Michael Buchholz, Imagination Library, BeeJay Morgan and Ayani Botanicals.
“As a Scotsman transplanted to SW Colorado, The Cortez Celtic Fair is a refreshing yet nostalgic event that is always a must in my annual planner. It’s like a piece of Scotland is transported to The Four Corners, except with way better weather,” said Cortez Celtic Fair MC Ian Elder-Cheyne. “It is so refreshing to see so many attendees don traditional attire. Scots love to see other people wearing the tartan even if they don’t have roots with Scotland. Get yer kilt on and feel the breeze! See you at the next Cortez Celtic Fair,.
To learn more, visit the website cortezcelticfair.com.
