The Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival

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"guh nih-heh on cot hoo iss guh nih-heh on jowel on cot."
"May the cat eat you and the devil eat the cat."

Celtic Athletic Activities

Celtic Athletic Activities can be very or consider of Highland Athletic Competitions, Rugby, Viking Suorland Demos, Irish Hurling & Gaelic Football, to maybe a fun Cross Fit (Obstacle Course) Competition. We will update information on this page from time-to-time about nearby Highland Competitions, practices, and other information. We may even post a few pictures of our Heavy Athletics Fails. If you wish to submit images or updates, email the webmaster.

Highland Athletic Competions

Celtic Heavy Athletics are a group of different athletic events that, in part, make up a Highland Games Festival.  The athletic events are focused on testing the competitors’ strength and skill using a variety of objects.  While they are not directly a martial exercise, the events began as a way to encourage competition between the clans and were used as a substitute for battlefield training by the Scottish during times of occupation when the establishment and maintenance of a large fighting force was forbidden.  The specific events offered can vary depending on which Games you are attending.  To qualify as a Celtic Heavy Athletics competition at least five of the six events described below must be offered at the Games.  The thrower, who must be kilted to participate, must compete in the majority of the events offered at a particular Games venue.

The Heavy Athletic Events:

• The Caber Toss >>
• The Scottish Hammer Throw >>
• Weight Over Bar >>
• The Sheaf Toss >>
• The Stone Put >>
• The Weight Throw >>
• View the Pro's Bios >>

Middle Ages Combat

The Society for Creative Anachronism, or SCA, is an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts, skills, and traditions of pre-17th-century Europe. Members of the SCA study and take part in a variety of activities, including heavy and light weapons combat, costuming, armoring and much more. If it was done in the Middle Ages, odds are you'll find someone in the SCA interested in recreating it.

Come one come all to the medieval armored combat spectacle. Many heroes will clash in a thunderous battle of Great swords and Great axes. Watch the fine Skill and Art of Fencing. Come hold the armor in your hands and don a real helm!!

Saturday Schedule:

• Heavy weapons, 10:00 am
• Cut and Thrust, 10:30 am
• Fencing, 11:00 am
• Heavy weapons, 2:00 pm
• Cut and Thrust, 2:30 pm
• Fencing, 3:00 pm

Sunday Schedule:

• Melee 11:00 am
• Sparing at random throughout the day