Saline Celtic Festival Events Kickoff Wednesday

Pleat your kilts and put on your jigging shoes! The annual Saline Celtic Festival returns to Mill Pond Park this weekend.

The festival, which began as a celebration of Saline's sister city relationship with Brecon, Wales, returns for a 17th year of music, dancing, games, exhibits, arts, food, jousting and more.

Tickets can be purchased online or at several Saline locations, including Brecon Grille, Busch's, Drowsy Pattor, Mac's, the Saline Rec Center and Wings, Pizza 'N' Things. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for youth (13-17), and $80 for a group (10 tickets). Kids 12 and under are admitted free.

Here's a schedule of events:

Wednesday 

6:30 p.m. — Gourmet Celtic Dinner and Whiskey Tasting at Macs

Thursday

7 p.m. — Cleary Pub plays a free concert on South Ann Arbor Street in downtown Saline for the Summer Music Series.

Friday

(All At Mill Pond Park unless noted)

5:30 p.m. — Celtic Festival opens at Mill Pond Park

6 p.m. — Celtic Music and Dance Workshops. Learn about Celtic fiddle styles, the tin whistle, guitar accompaniment and Irish step dance. 

6:30 p.m. —  Limerick Contest, hosted by Perry Plouff (Pub Stage)

7:15 p.m. — Road Kilt, hosted by Beth Patterson at the Red Dragon Stage

7:30 p.m. — Ceili Dance with Damhsa Uisce BanMor, music with Brad Battey and Myron Grant

8:15 p.m. — 6th Annual “Mr. Pretty Legs In Kilt” Contest

9:15 p.m. — Road Kilt, hosted by Beth Patterson at  the Red Dragon Stage

10:15 p.m. —  Beth Patterson, Red Dragon Stage

10:30 p.m. — Seven Nations

Saturday

(All At Mill Pond Park unless noted)

8 a.m. — Saline Celtic 5K Run/Walk, starts at Saline Middle School (sign in at 7 a.m.)

10 a.m. — Highland Dance competition (Primary/Pre-premier groupings)

Noon — Fiddlers ReStrung, Red Dragon Stage

Noon — Harp demo, Carol Kappus and friends, Acoustic Tent

Noon — The Highland Games begin, featuring seven events, including Sheaf Toss, Caber Toss, Braemar and Open Stone.

12:30 p.m. —  Ealain Ceime Irish Dance School. Dance Stage

12:30 p.m. — The Celtic Connections Band, Brecon Stage

12:45 p.m. —  Beth Patterson, Red Dragon Stage

1 p.m. — All Fiddler Reunion, for members past and present of all of the Saline fiddle groups, Acoustic Tent

1:15 p.m. —  Rant Maggie Rant

1:15 p.m. — Ceili Dance (participatory); Caller: Kimberly Mikulski; Music: Seven Nations, Dance Stage

1:30 p.m. — The Tartan Terrors, Brecon Stage

2 p.m. —  Beth Patterson, Red Dragon Stage

2 p.m. — Highland Dance Competition (intermediate and premier registration)

2 p.m. —  Clearyʼs Pub (everyone welcome to join in), Acoustic Tent

2:30 p.m. —  The Moxie Strings, Red Dragon Stage

2:30 p.m. — Irish Dance School of Lansing, Dance Stage

2:45 p.m. — The Bowzies, Brecon Stage

3:15 p.m. —  Beth Patterson, Red Dragon Stage

3:15 p.m. —  Village Strings (everyone welcome to join in), Acoustic Tent

3:30 p.m. — Ceili Dance (participatory); Caller: Damhsa Uisce Ban Mor; Music: Rant Maggie Rant, Dance Stage

3:45 p.m. —  Ealain Ceime Irish Dance School, Red Dragon Stage

4 p.m. — Seven Nations, Brecon Stage

4:30 p.m. — Detroit Irish Music Association, Acoustic Tent

4:30 p.m. — Ann Arbor Morris & The Quality, Dance Stage

4:45 p.m. —  Irish Dance Company of Lansing, Red Dragon Stage

5:15 p.m. —  Beth Patterson, Red Dragon Stage

5:15 p.m. — The CommonWealth Dance Collective, Dance Stage

5:15 p.m. — The Moxie Strings, Brecon Stage

5:30 p.m. —  The Bowzies, Red Dragon Stage

6:15 p.m. —  Beth Patterson, Red Dragon Stage

6:15 p.m. — The Tartan & Thistle Ann Arbor Scottish Country Dancers (participatory); Music: Susie Lorand & Friends

6:30 p.m. — Rant Maggie Rant, Brecon Stage

6:45 p.m. —  The Tartan Terrors, Red Dragon Stage

7:30 p.m. —  Beth Patterson, Red Dragon Stage

8:00 p.m. —  Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul, Red Dragon Stage

9:30 p.m. —  Beth Patterson, Red Dragon Stage

10:00 p.m. —  Seven Nations, Red Dragon Stage