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Saline, Michigan, is a little township with a big love for the Celtic culture. Every year, Saline hosts the Saline Celtic Festival, a celebration of Celtic traditions, history, and games. The interest in Celtic heritage came when Saline, Michigan, became sister cities with Brecon, Wales. After learning about Brecon and its traditions, Saline hoped to tutor more people in Celtic history, through this fun filled event.

Every year, people from all over flock to Saline for the festival. They come for the music, dancing, food, games, and more. The festival includes almost anything you can think of pertaining to the Celtic culture. There is a Celtic dog show, a mutton heaving contest, jousting, weaponry, and fencing demonstrations, as well as, wool spinning, weaving, and lace making. There are bands representing different eras in Celtic music, bagpipe players, and even traditional dance competitions. Of course there will be traditional food, drinks, fun souvenirs; and you can’t forget the kids.

The festival wants kids to have as much fun as the adults, so they designed Wee Folk Island. Kids will find activities and crafts that represent several Celtic lands including Ireland, Scotland and the British Isles. They will be able to play carnival games, fight a dragon, play mini golf, and they get to hurl haggis too. There are also crafts like decorating crowns, swords, and shields, and the kids who take their, “passport,” to every stop, get a prize. There is also a ducky race that takes place along the “Thames;” and Princess Merida comes to tell stories. The kids learn a lot about geography and Celtic history, while having a whole lot of fun.

As far as the competition goes, there are seven traditional events, all designed to test your brute strength. There is the Heavy and Light Weight for Distance competition, in which a person throws a handled weight as far as they can. They can use any technique they want as long as they only use one hand. The Weight Over the Bar competition, in which the contestant throws a handled weight over a horizontal bar. The Sheaf Toss, where a bundle of hay wrapped in burlap, is heaved over a horizontal pole with a pitch fork. The Caber Toss, in which a large log is lifted vertically, carried a short distance and thrown. The Braemar, similar to the shot put, a contestant heaves a large stone as far as they can; but the thrower must stand in one place. The Open Stone, which is also similar to the shot put, only throwers can use any technique they want leading up to the throw, as long as the stone stays in one hand resting on the neck. All of these competitions are deeply rooted in Celtic history and have been played for generations.

Saline hopes to bring history alive, by engaging festival goers in lots of fun filled activities and experiences. They hope to honor Brecon, their sister city, and the rich heritage of the Celtic people. Saline Tutors want everyone to be able to enjoy learning. If your child is struggling in any subject a Saline Tutor can help get them back on track and on their way to success.