Maine Celtic Celebration July 17-19 on the Belfast waterfront

Sat, 07/18/2015 - 4:15pm

Erica Thoms

There were plenty of tents for people to sit and stand under when the skies opened up during the Maine Celtic Celebration Saturday, but breaks in the weather also provided opportunities to open the lawn chairs and spread out the blankets to listen to the music and watch the performances down on the Belfast waterfront. The Maine Celtic Celebration continues Sunday with the Highland Heavy Games and New World Cheese Roll Championships highlighting the days events. There will also be plenty of music and dance performances, workshops and other things to do, and the weather should be nice, so plan to head down for the day. (photo by Erica Thoms)

(photo by Erica Thoms)

BELFAST — Crowds gathered Saturday, July 18, on Belfast’s waterfront for the ninth annual Maine Celtic Celebration.

The second of the three-day festival was spent under cloudy skies, with frequent bouts of rain. Despite the weather, the spirits of those attending remained sunny.

The festival, which is a donation only event, offers unique wares, shows and workshops to those who braved the weather.

Friday’s entertainment included musical performances by Napper Tandies, Hanz Araki & Colleen Raney, and The Pogues Perspective.

Saturday’s performers included Black Point Pipes and Drums, The High Ground, Fodhla, The Press Gang, The Galley Rats, and The Trad Gang, among a variety of other performers.

Today’s events included the Celtic Dog Breeds Show, the Kilt Kompetition and the 5K Kilted Canter.

Fireworks are scheduled to close Saturday’s celebration at 9:20 pm.

Tomorrow, the third day of the Maine Celtic Celebration, promises sunny skies and warm weather, in addition to a variety of unique events for visitors to observe - or participate in.

The Highland Heavy Games, which includes the Scottish Hammer Throw, the Caber Toss, Open Stone Put and Heavy Weight Throw, will take place throughout the day. Amateurs are welcome to compete, with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m.

One of the event’s most popular activities, the New World Cheese Roll Championship, is scheduled to begin at 2:10 p.m. The event, which sees visitors of all ages chase a wheel of cheese rolling downhill, is open to all.

Musical performances scheduled for Sunday include Black Point Pipes and Drums, Jimmy Keane & Robbie O’Connell and The Maine Highland Fiddlers, among others.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com