FESTIVAL | Celtic menagerie

Chatham Community Park is transformed into a Celtic venue for the Springfield Area Highland Games and Celtic Festival on Saturday, May 19. The gathering offers ancient athletic, highland dance and bagpipe band competitions, clan info, vendors and public participation events like Ladies Haggis Hurl, Bonniest Knees, Tug of War and Kids Kettle Toss. Rain or shine, join the Celts partying the day away with tasty traditional food, musical entertainment, a children’s area, storytelling and dancing. Opening and closing ceremonies, with massed bands from around the country, are noon and 5:30 p.m., respectively. The festival kicks off with Pub in the Park Friday, May 18, 6-10 p.m. with the Dave Littrell Band. Organized by the St. Andrew Society of Central Illinois, more info can be found on their website at www.central-illinois-celts.org.