The 2019 Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival
It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think Albuquerque, but it should be! For 31 years, the city has been home to the Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival, a two-day event that brings thousands of people together through music, dance, games, food, and shopping. On May 4th and May 5th, 2019, make sure you visit Rotary Park so that you don’t miss a thing!
Games To Play
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The Celtic Festival includes numerous Scottish games you can compete in, from the Caeber Toss to the Hammer. Even if you don’t want to actually engage, it’s well worth carving out time to watch a few feats of strength. The contestants always put on a great show!
Music And Dancing
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Let the sound of the bagpipes take you back to Scotland! Traditional Scottish dance troupes and musicians abound at the festivals, introducing you to the culture and impressing you with their skill (whose feet can move that fast!?). And if you’re not a fan of bagpipes, don’t worry – a personal favorite is actually the drummers – the rhythm can just get into your soul.
The Food
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Definitely make sure you don’t miss the shortbread cookie bake-off, but beyond that, there is also a beer garden and plenty of delicious Scottish dishes for you to try, like meat pie or lamb curry. There’s also a barbecue truck among other mouthwatering fare.
Other Activities
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The New Mexico Herding Dog Association always puts on a herding demonstration featuring some of the best working dog breeds, or you can watch a rugby game. You may also see medieval Celtic nobility wandering the grounds, and historical actors performing mock battles using classic weapons. There’s even a beard competition if you want to see some amazing facial hair!