Games and more: Rio Grande Celtic Festival brings culture to ABQ
May 2—For 36 years, the Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival Association has brought the Celtic culture and games to Albuquerque.
This year, the Rio Grande Celtic Festival will take place from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 4, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at Balloon Fiesta Park.
"It's a labor of love," says Peter McKenna, festival spokesman. "We begin to plan the festival about a year in advance. The city of Albuquerque has been really helpful the last couple of years."
McKenna says the two-day event celebrates the culture of the seven Celtic nations.
The festival will feature live music, athletic competitions, animal exhibits, interactive children's activities and some of the best food this side of the Atlantic Ocean.
Headlining the main stage is Seven Nations, an American Celtic Rock band celebrating its 30th season. Seven Nations plays twice each day.
McKenna says the entertainment stages will host 24 bands, singing groups or instrumental clinics. Those include the Duke City Ceili Band, Ga Greine, The Reelers, Wandering the Burren, The Bardic Sisters, Mountain Road, The Celtic Singers, Jug O' Punch, Shenanigans and Two Leaf Clover, with several Celtic dance troupes also performing.
"There will also be two other stages which will feature performances," he says. "Festival attendees will have a chance to participate and get some helpful tips from the dancers."
McKenna says aside from the Celtic culture, the highlight of the event is the Highland Games. This is where men and women will compete in events such as the caber toss, the Scottish hammer throw, Braemar stones and sheaf toss.
"This year's field of 120 athletes — including four men and four women pros competing in paired teams of Red Chili, Green Chili, Biscochitos, and Piñon — promises to be an action packed and exciting component of the festival," he says.
McKenna says the 2024 USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships return to the festival. This is where college-level racers will be circling the field in a "fast track crit race" during festival activities on Sunday, May 5.
"There will be racing all day in several different classes, giving the fest attendees plenty of chances to experience the thrill of competitive bike races," he says.
Of course, McKenna says there will also be competitions such as bagpipe bands, bagpipe soloists and drum soloists.
"We're not going to have rugby this year," he says. "What we've been able to do is make the festival fun in all aspects. There will be different clan members on the grounds to educate about their history. It's a two-day celebration of Celtic culture in the middle of the desert."