Ohio Scottish Games and Celtic Festival Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds June 26-27, 2026
The Ohio Scottish Games and Celtic Festival is held on the 4th Saturday every June. Established in 1977, this long standing event is presented by members of The Ohio Scottish American Cultural Society of Ohio, an organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of their proud Scottish Heritage and ancestry. The Ohio Scottish Games and Celtic Festival highlights the traditional dance, music and athletics of the ancient highland games while celebrating the cultural of the Celtic nations. This event is for the enjoyment of all Scots and friends as well as to introduce the Scottish Arts and traditions to the community.
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The Grand Parade at the Ohio Scottish Games and Celtic Festival was fantastic! It featured lots of bagpipe units, many Clans in their namesake tartans, Irish wolfhounds, knights in armor, Clydesdale horses and more.
There were activities and demonstrations for all interests and ages. Athletes gathered to compete in a variety of Highland Games. This included the Caber (Gaelic for tree) Toss, Stone Put, Weight Over Bar, Heavy and Light Weights for Distance, Hammer Throws and the Sheaf Toss.
There were a variety of demonstrations and competitions. We learned about the Pavee, aka Irish Travellers, a distinct ethnic group with a nomadic heritage, unique language, and cultural traditions, recognized as an ethnic minority in Ireland.
They are also known as Mincéirí and are distinct from the Romani people, despite sometimes being incorrectly called "Gypsies". The derogatory term "Tinker" has also been used.
They number approximately 32,949 in Ireland according to the 2022 census
Traditionally nomadic artisans skilled in tinsmithing, horse trading, and seasonal labor, many have transitioned to settled or semi-nomadic lifestyles on halting sites amid modernization, while preserving a unique cryptolect known as Shelta-a hybrid of Irish Gaelic and English. We saw a traditional Pavee performance going back to the 1600s of a man playing a fiddle and a whistle (he also had bagpipes) as a puppet attached to his leg with a string "danced" to the music. Watch.
We saw traditional instruments, armor, fighting, weaving and music.
We caught up with Stefan from the Society for Creative Anachronism. The Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) is an inclusive community pursuing research and re-creation of pre-seventeenth century skills, arts, combat and culture. The lives of participants are enriched as we gain knowledge of history through activities, demonstrations, and events. He was wearing German armor from the 14th century and showed us the armor and a few weapons. Watch.
One of the most interesting parts of the Ohio Scottish Games & Celtic Festival is seeing the different clans that are represented and watching the interesting people.
Of course there was a variety of music and dancing. There was a Scottish Dance competition.
There was medieval music. Watch the short video.
You could even try a number of Scottish & Celtic Acoustic Musical Instruments. Sue Borowski of Steeltown Acoustic Instruments Experience (SAIE) brought in part of her collection of Celtic acoustic instruments for people to see, touch and try out. This included a hammer dulcimer, various other stringed instruments like mandolins, Highland and other bagpipes, bowed psaltry and even a bodhran. Watch.
You could witness real blacksmiths at work.
Try some traditional Scottish food.
Or relax with some family games.
There were also jousting demonstrations and performances and a lot more. It was a great time and deserves it's spot on the Cleveland Ethnic Bucket List.
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