It is time for the Celtic invasion at the Riverside Park, Aztec, New Mexico! New this year is the Aztec Highland Games & Celtic Festival’s first ever Four Corners Regional Highland Games Championship! Watch amazing feats of strength and athleticism as athletes compete in the traditional contests of the Scottish Highlands to win the Championship Title for their State. Eight Celtic Heavy Athletic events including the Caber Toss, Hammer Throw, Braemar Stone, Weight for Distance, Weight for Height, Sheaf Toss and Celtic Tug-o-War in Kilts!
The fun begins Friday Night Business After Hours, Oct 3 with Meet the Celtic Athletes! –Get to know some of the people who toss logs for fun and learn what draws them to Highland Competitions in a business casual setting with live music, food and a cash bar from Wines of the San Juan. Friday night’s lineup in the Microtel Inn & Suites Courtyard at 623 Phoenix Court, Aztec include: Music by Gypsyfire, Storytelling by David McDonnell, and Bagpipes.

On October 4 and 5 at the Park festival goers can enjoy unique and varied sounds of Celtic music from traditional and modern electric and much more! The stage in Riverside Park will be nestled under the trees next to the beautiful Animas River in Aztec. Make sure you bring a blanket or chairs so you can relax and enjoy the show. This year’s lineup includes local Four Corners bands such as: Gypsyfire, Kitchen Jam Band, Mad Haggis, Patrick Crossing and An Sliabh. The musical headliner, Wicked Tinkers” will perform Saturday at 8pm.
Other activities include: Clans will be on hand to share their history, educate the general public about traditions and legends of their Clan and to provide a resource to individuals who wish to research genealogy. Vendors will supply everything from traditional Celtic goods to local favorites. The Celtic Caterer. Chef Eric W. McBride will be conducting a number of live cooking Demos! More than 20 Celtic vendors to give you a taste of Celtic delights; edible, wearable, unique and enviously exquisite! Oz Highland Farm will be serving traditional Highland Beef products. Fish-n-Chips will be available and much more!Pipe Bands – You can’t have a Highland Games & Celtic Music Festival without Bag Pipes! Make sure you check out the pageantry of a Pipe Band in full swing. Not to be missed – the Mass Band performances during the opening ceremonies where all the present pipe bands converge into one massive pipe band for a sound that will give you goose bumps! Children’s Activities – Pick up a Clan Passport at the Entrance Booth and use it as you visit the Clans, Dancers, Pipers and fight a Viking! Return your filled out Clan Passport at the Information Booth and be entered into a drawing for a commemorative handmade wooden train! See if your Wee One is a future Celtic Athlete! The Kids Highland Games will be held during the lunch break of the Athletic Competitions on Saturday and is free for Kids to try their hand at each of the Celtic Athletic Events. Kids can also participate in activities at the free Children’s Tent and if they are under 12, they get into the entire festival FREE! Bonny Knees Competition –Competitors will submit themselves to the judging for bone structure, muscle tone, skin tone and hair! Judges will be drawn from a pool of voluntarily hopeful Ladies and will then be blindfolded as they critique the competitor’s assets! The winning Lad will be dubbed as having “The Bonnyest Knees in the Four Corners!” And More –Highland Dancing, 3 Rivers Brewery, St Clair’s Winery, Vikings battling it out…..
You can purchase tickets or find information and registration forms online at www.aztechighlandgames.com. Tickets may also be purchased at U Bru Home Brewing & Wine Making Supplies in the Hutton Plaza, Suite #3 in Farmington, NM. For additional information contact Jessica at 505-419-7526 or [email protected]. Facebook: Aztec Highland Games Association
Aztec Ruins National Monument –Wear your wristband from the Aztec Highland Games & Celtic Music Festival to the Aztec Ruins National Monument and receive a FREE full color trail guide! For information about the Aztec Ruins call 505-334-6174.