Maine Celtic Celebration rolls into Belfast July 18-20

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Friday, July 18

MAIN STAGE ON THE COMMON

6 p.m. — Fódhla
6:45 p.m. — The Celtic Company
7:30 p.m. — William Coulter and Brian Finnegan

Saturday, July 19

MAIN STAGE ON THE COMMON

10-10:50 a.m. — The High Ground (Driving Celtic fiddle and cello)
11:10 a.m.-noonWilliam Coulter and Brian Finnegan (Driving tunes from flute/ whistle genius Brian Finnegan (Flook) and the brilliant guitar of William Coulter.)
12:20-1:20 p.m.
 — Michael Black (This year Michael performs with his three daughters, Ciara, Maeve and Catriona, and is also accompanied by Cornish accordion player Chris Brinn.)
1:20-1:50 p.m.
 — Manx Uphill Three-Legged Race (A new event-direct your attention to the Common. This promises to make the Cheese Roll seem positively civilized.)
1:50-2:40 p.m.
 — The Celtic Company (Pipes, flings and things. Vermont's premier Scottish Dance troupe.)
3-3:50 p.m.
 — Stanley and Grimm (A warm welcome back to some great friends of ours. Nikki and Sean are one of the best fiddle/ guitar duos we've heard -- and we've heard a few. This year they are joined by Nikki's daughter, Hunter. Why Stanley and Grimm? You ask...)
4:10-5 p.m.
 — The Galley Rats (Back by popular request, these lads thrilled us last year with their take on some great Maritime songs.)
5:20-6:20 p.m.
 — Cillian Vallely and Ryan McGiver (Pipes and guitar. All the way from Ireland, Cillian is just about the finest Irish piper around, and a member of the brilliant band, Lunasa. Ryan's songs and guitar are becoming a must-listen for any Celtic/ folk enthusiast.)
6:40-7:45 p.m.
 — Cóig (All the way from Cape Breton, the combined talents of Rachel, Colin, Chrissy, Darren and Jason have been making the Maine rounds. The very best of Cape Breton music and dance.)
8:05-9:15 p.m.
 — Open the Door for Three (Pipes, fiddle and bouzar? Well, you'll have to ask Pat Broaders just exactly what that is, but combined with Liz Knowles on fiddle and Kieran O'Hare on pipes, this trio's a must see and hear for the end of our first day.)

9:20 p.m. — Fireworks (Need we say more? But don't miss the session in the Boat House afterwards.)

• STEAMBOAT STAGE

10:30-11:20 a.m. — Twisted Strings (Fiddle and bouzouki from Augusta. Michelle Roy and Will West)
11:40 a.m.-12.30 p.m.
 — Fiona Howell and Taylor Whiteside (Flute and fiddle. Taylor has been coming to the Celebration for a while, a marvelous fiddler, singer and all-around good egg. Fiona is a talented young flautist and singer.)
12:50-1:40 p.m.
 — The Maine Highland Fiddlers (Hailing from right here in Midcoast Maine; great Cape Breton and Scottish music.)
2-2:50 p.m.
 — Folk Ragoût (Leslie Anne Harrison and Frédéric Pouille. A warm welcome back to this flute/guitar duo.)
3:10-4 p.m.
 — Emma Walsh, Chris Brinn, Chris Grey and Chuck Donnelly (Fiddle, accordion, pipes and guitar; all musicians from the Midcoast, Down East and Bar Harbor. Local musicians, with a local twist on some great Celtic music.)
4:20-5:10 p.m.
 — Velocipede (A warm welcome back to Julia Plumb and Baron Collins-Hill, staples on the New England Celtic/contra scene. Fiddle, mandolin and a whole bunch o' tunes.)

• BAY STAGE

11:30 a.m. — Celtic Dog Breeds Show (parade followed by show-and-tell with owners)
12:30 p.m.
 — Kompetition Kilts (A family-friendly competition for all wearing plaid)
1:30 p.m.
 — Bob McCormick: Cape Breton Dance (audience participation welcome)
3 p.m.
 — Scottish Country Dancers

• BOAT HOUSE WORKSHOPS

10 a.m. — Session - all invited to start the day
11:30 a.m.
 — Mike Boyd (Bodhran: The Irish drum)
12:30 p.m.
 — Brian Finnegan (Irish tin whistle)
1:30 p.m.
 — Julia Plumb & Baron Colins (Crooked Tunes: try out some less familiar tunes)
2:30 p.m.
 — Kieran O’Hare - (Uileann pipes)
3:30 p.m.
 — Michael Black (Singing workshop with the master)
4:30 p.m.
 — Liz Knowles (Irish fiddle ornamentation and intonation)
9:20 p.m.
 — Mighty Session (all welcome to participate)

OTHER SATURDAY EVENTS

9 a.m. — The Kilted Canter 5K Road Race/Walk (Where the pleats meet the streets. Located at Belfast Area High School, register in advance or at 8 am., before the race. Organized by Belfast Rotary Club)
9:30 a.m.
 — The Celtic Breeds Dog Parade (Meet on Steamboat Landing with your dog and parade around the celebration site, led by a kilted piper.)
All day
 — The Children’s Area (Various children’s activities, including family games like the Wellington Boot Toss, Tug-O-War and the Wheelbarrow Race.)

Sunday, July 20

MAIN STAGE ON THE COMMON

10:15-11:05 a.m. — Velocipede (A warm welcome back to Julia Plumb and Baron Collins-Hill, staples on the New England Celtic/contra scene. Fiddle, mandolin and a whole bunch o' tunes.)
11:25 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
 — Folk Ragoût (Leslie Anne Harrison and Frédéric Pouille. A warm welcome back to this flute/guitar duo.)
12:35-1:30 p.m.
 — Open the Door for Three (Another chance to hear Pat, Liz and Kieran.)
1:30-2 p.m.
 — New World Cheese Roll Championship (Down the hill on the Common. Catch it if you can!)
2-2:50 p.m.
 — Cóig (All the way from Cape Breton, the combined talents of Rachel, Colin, Chrissy, Darren and Jason have been making the Maine rounds. The very best of Cape Breton music and dance.)
3:10-4 p.m.
 — Cillian Vallely and Ryan McGiver (Pipes and guitar. All the way from Ireland-but he lives in NYC now-Cillian is just about the finest Irish piper around and a member of the brilliant band, Lunasa. Ryan's songs and guitar are becoming a must listen for any Celtic/folk enthusiast.)
4-4:30 p.m.
 — Belfast Bay Fiddlers (Talent from right here in the Midcoast, rounding out our 2014 celebrations.)

• STEAMBOAT STAGE

10:30-11:15 a.m. — The High Ground (Driving Celtic fiddle and cello. The Rogers Brothers are back. Don't miss these young up and comers.)
11:35 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
 — Stanley and Grimm (A warm welcome back to some great friends of ours. Nikki and Sean are one of the best fiddle/guitar duos and this year they are joined by Nikki's daughter, Hunter.)
12:40-1:25 p.m.
 — Fiona Howell and Taylor Whiteside (Flute and fiddle. Taylor has been coming to the Celebration for a while, a marvelous fiddler, singer and all around good egg. Fiona is talented young flautist and singer.)
1:45-2:30 p.m.
 — Michael Black Family (This year Michael performs with his three daughters, Ciara, Maeve and Catriona, and is also accompanied by Cornish accordion player Chris Brinn.)
2:50-3:35 p.m.
 — The Galley Rats (Back by popular request, these lads thrilled us last year with their take on some great Maritime songs, rounding out 2014 on our Steamboat Stage.)

BAY STAGE

11 a.m. — Gig Rowing (Presentation on stage and rowing off the beach)
Noon
 — Gaelic Language
1 p.m.
 — Chris Pinchbeck (Demonstrating Scottish small pipes)
2 p.m.
 — Maine Youth Celtic Harp Ensemble

BOAT HOUSE WORKSHOPS

11 a.m. — Nicole Rabata (Irish flute)
Noon
 — Cillian Vallely and Ryan McGiver (Pipes and guitar. All the way from Ireland-but he lives in NYC now-Cillian is just about the finest Irish piper around and a member of the brilliant band, Lunasa. Ryan's songs and guitar are becoming a must listen for any Celtic/folk enthusiast.)
1 p.m.
 — Nikki Engstrom (Small fry fiddle for the next generation)

OTHER SUNDAY EVENTS

All day — The Highland Heavy Games (The Scottish Hammer Throw, the Caber Toss, Open Stone Put and Heavy Weight Throw. Amateurs are welcome. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.)
All day
 — The Children’s Area (Various children’s activities, including family games like the Wellington Boot Toss, Tug-O-War and the Wheelbarrow Race.)

Show off your Celtic Breed at the Maine Celtic Celebration.

All Celtic dogs and their owners are invited to gather at Steamboat Landing at 9:30 a.m. and join Steve Seekins, Faelan the deerhound, and Maggie the lurcher for a parade of the grounds led by a kilted piper followed at 11:30 a.m. by a "Meet the Celtic Breeds" dog show on the Bay Stage, where dog owners will do a short informal talk about their breed. You should include some information on the breed's history and characteristics, their purpose and other interesting facts along with any human interest stories about your dog.

Scottish breeds
Scottish deerhound, Gordon setter, smooth collie, rough collie, bearded collie, border collie, border terrier, Cairn terrier, West Highland white terrier, Scottish terrier, Shetland sheepdog, Skye terrier

Irish breeds
Irish wolfhound, Irish setter, Irish red and white setter, kerry beagle, Wheaten terrier, kerry blue, Irish terrier, Glen of Imaal terrier

Welsh breeds
Welsh springer spaniel, welsh sheepdog, cardigan welsh corgi, welsh terrier, Sealyham terrier

Galician breeds
Galician barn dog, Galician pointer, Galician hound, Galician Quisquelo

Breton breeds
Brittany spaniel, Brittany fawn griffon, fawn Brittany basset

(Note: Planning to participate in this year's Cheese Roll? Please scroll to the bottom of this page for important information on this event)

Get ready to run downhill without falling head over heels while pursuing a rapidly rolling wheel of...you got it, cheese!

It's the New World Cheese Roll Championship , this year's showcase event at the eighth annual Maine Celtic Celebration.

Mark your calendar. This incredibly cheesy contest is scheduled to take off at 1.30 p.m. on Sunday, July 20th on the Belfast Common. Preregistration with parental permission is required of all cheese chasers ages 5-17.

Contestants are welcome to join the fray. The number of competitors in each age group will be determined by how many show up to compete: men, women, teens and kids. If more than nine contestants wish to compete in any category, they will have to race uphill first, and the first nine will be final contestants.

The Cheese Roll begins with a three-pound wheel of cheese being rolled down the slope on Belfast Common toward the bay. Each group will race to catch up with and grab their cheese wheel. Still it is each person for himself/herself, and the one winner in each group who finally grabs the cheese wheel gets to keep the cheese! Plus there will probably be some tee-shirts and other prizes to boot.

The Grand Prize - each cheese wheel is well worth the downhill plunge, according to the cheese wheel maker. Cathe Morrill, sponsoring owner of the State of Maine Cheese Company in Rockport, said, "Each wheel is composed of 3 full pounds of our customers' favorite kind of cheese. All you can eat, just for chasing your dream sliding down the slippery slope."

But after bouncing around and reveling in the dirt, will the cheese rolls even be edible? "Absolutely!" Morill insisted. "The cheese wheels will still be enclosed in natural rind, impervious to penetration by any substance. Once the cheese wheel is won by someone and the rind is removed, there will be a rich and yummy 48 ounces of pure cheese to consume."

While setting the stage for the New World Cheese Roll Championship in Belfast, Maine, cheese rolling enjoys a disputed history going back to at least the 1800s in the U.K. Today the annual Cooper's Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake is held near Gloucester in the county of Gloucestershire in Southwest England. That's a much steeper slope, however, and the New World Cheese Roll Championship is expected to be a safer and thus perhaps even sillier competition.

Bob MacGregor, presiding over the all-volunteer Maine Celtic Celebration Board of Directors, cites the long tradition in the Celtic culture of pursuing and devouring cheese. "Many of us are dedicated to chasing our cheese, and the New World Cheese Roll Championship right here in Belfast is a metaphoric event that characterizes our historic quest for justice and scrumptious cheese," said MacGregor.

Let's roll! Say cheese!

Cheese RollImportant Information for Cheese Roll Participants

The Cheese Roll Championship is above all meant to be fun and exciting for all who chase the cheese, as well as for the spectators. While there are a few rules to the event, because of the usual mayhem that evolves things don't always go as planned, which is why we have referees. We remind you that the referees have the final say in who wins each heat (you may not be the only one hugging the wheel of cheese when the dust settles). Remember, there's no crying in cheese rolling!

Here's how it works:

ALL entrants under the age of 18 are REQUIRED to preregister and MUST have the permission and signature of a parent or guardian at the time of registering. Registration will be available at the top of the cheese roll hill before the race on Sunday. Participants 18 and older do not need to register.

There will be 10 wheels of cheese available this year, therefore there will be five heats each for men and women, divided by age as follows: 5-8, 9-12, 13-18, 19-24, and 25+ (men/boys and women/girls run separately in all age groups)

There is no limit to the number of participants for ages 5-12.

There is a limit of 10 participants per heat in all other age groups. In the event more than 10 people show up in a particular age group, there will be an UPHILL race to determine the 10 finalists who will chase the cheese down the hill. This is one place where there can be mayhem and accusations of unfairness; the referees will have the final say in who gets to chase the cheese, and who gets to sit on the sidelines!

As for the cheese roll chase itself, it's fairly simple; our official roller of the cheese will roll the wheel from the top of the hill, and the chasers will set off after it. When the cheese stops and it's in someone's clear possession, they are declared the winner and are awarded the cheese, and there will be much rejoicing in the crowd. In the event more than one person is holding on to the cheese for dear life, the referees will again make the determination of who has won the coveted cheese. If at this point you are one of those lucky people, please accept the judge's ruling as final (or if you prefer, offer to share the cheese with the others who are clinging to it with you)

All winners are asked to remain at the bottom of the hill until the event is finished, for a group photo.

Still being held throughout each year in Scotland and in many other countries, the traditional Highland Heavy Games go all the way back to the 11th century and possibly even before that in the Scottish Highlands. The same games, under the same rules, will be played once again by a number of athletes, both local and from points beyond, at the Maine Celtic Celebration in Belfast, at Steamboat Landing

Anyone is welcome to join the Highland Heavy Games competition for a $10 entry fee. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the games start at 9 a.m. and continue to the finish line at about 2 or 2:30 p.m.

It will be a long and hard day for the athletes, as the Highland Heavy Games test the strength and coordination of each competitor to their maximum capability. Athletes we have seen in previous years at the Maine Celtic Celebration have heaved the heavy weights much farther than we might have imagined before witnessing the events.

But the Highland Heavy Games are always easy and fun to watch. What you see is the sheer strength of someone putting every ounce of energy into one single action. It is like watching the Olympic Games firsthand, but in Celtic cultural form and tradition.

Nevertheless, the challenges of the Highland Heavy Games are formidable and demanding.

At the top of the agenda for the Maine Celtic Celebration 2014 is the Scottish Hammer Throw, actually two events. A heavy metal ball (12/16 pounds for women, 16/22 pounds for men) is attached to a four-foot wooden shaft. With both feet in fixed position, the athlete whirls the hammer overhead and then tosses it forward in an attempt to reach a longer distance than any hammers thrown by competitors.

The Caber Toss is probably the event best known to symbolize the Highland Heavy Games. In his or her hands, the athlete holds up and balances a long tapered pine poll, then runs forward and launches the caber and tries to flip it end over end the longest distance of any caber toss by competitors, relative to a straight "12 o'clock" path.

An Open Stone Put is similar to a shot put, yet with a heavy stone as the object (8-12 pounds for women, 16-22 pounds for men). The stone can be thrown by any method as long as the toss begins with the stone in one hand cradled in the athlete's neck before being tossed the longest possible distance.

There will be a Heavy Weight Throw (28 pounds for women, 42 pounds for "masters men") and a similar throw with weights not quite so heavy (14 pounds for women, 28 pounds for men). Weights are metal with handles attached, thrown with one hand by the athlete, some putting a spin on their toss. Again the longest throw is the winner.

In the Weight Over the Bar event, also known as Weight for Height, the athlete heaves a very heavy weight (56 pounds, or 4 stones) over a horizontal bar. Each competitor gets three tries, and those who are successful move to the next level in raising the bar until only one is left.

Not all of us could become serious competitors in the Highland Heavy Games, even here in Belfast, Maine. But we may be easily be surprised by the individual strength and power of those who are serious competitors in these tough contests.

Either way, you can count yourself lucky... See you there.

Contact Sam Denson at densonsam@gmail.com for more information

The long-standing tradition of a Celtic Celebration 5K road race continues with this year's running of the second annual Kilted Canter 5K Road Race. Sponsored by the Belfast Rotary Club, the race continues to be run on the same relatively flat course as in the past, through the lovely, picturesque and proudly historic neighborhoods of Belfast, covering 5 kilometers or 3.1 miles.

The Kilted Canter 5K Road Race will take place on Saturday, July 19 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome to join from those looking to run a personal best to families wanting to share a healthy run/walk.

Entry fee is $20. Pre-registration can be done on-line again this year at active.com or by filling in the form accessible at the link above and emailing it to rotary.belfast.runs@gmail.com or snail mailing it to Belfast Rotary Club, second Annual Kilted Canter, P.O. Box 74, Belfast, ME 04915. Include check or money order with snail mail registrations; e-mail registrants will pay at race-day registration. Runners may also fill out registration forms just before the race during race-day registration, 7:30-8:15 a.m., at Belfast Area High School under the awning at the front entrance. Those registered by July 5 will receive a free T-shirt. Those who register later can purchase T-shirts on race day.

The race will start promptly at 8:30 a.m. Runners will begin at the Route 1 overpass on Waldo Avenue heading south onto Waldo Avenue, crossing Main Street and then heading up Cedar Street. They will run along Cedar Street to Penobscot Terrace, where they will turn left and continue along Penobscot Terrace to Northport Avenue. They will then turn left onto Northport Avenue and run/walk to Church Street. At Church Street, the runners will take another left and continue along Church Street to Park Street for a short trek "up" to Court Street, turning left onto Franklin to Cedar Street, then turning right onto Cedar Street to cross Main Street and again up Waldo Avenue to the finish line back at Belfast High School.

Awards will be given to the top overall female and male runners and to the top male and female runners in each of seven age brackets. There will be a special prize for the best kilt in keeping with the Celtic Celebration festivities. Prizes will be provided by local businesses and sponsors. Race results will be announced shortly after the race and again at 10:50 at the Belfast Commons Stage. Spectators, fans, families and Celtic cheerleaders are also welcome to watch from anywhere along the course, or simply at the Start and Finish lines. As we know there are many first-class, A-team runners from our local area, as well as those traveling to get here for this unique event. It should be a Celtic Celebration event to be enjoyed by all!

Volunteers are always appreciated. Anyone can help with tasks such as registering runners, serving runners at the water stations, acting as course marshals to guide runners along the course and timing the race. Those interested can contact Brian Beaulieu at rotary.belfast.runs@gmail.com.

And the Kilted Canter 5K Road Race is only the beginning! After the race, please stay for great music and activities at the Belfast Common throughout the weekend.

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