57th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games will begin this upcoming Thursday, July 12, 2012, with opening ceremonies beginning at MacRae Meadows at 4:30 pm. The evening will offer traditional Celtic music, a picnic, sheep herding, and the Torchlight Ceremony to announce the participating clans. The day will also host The Bear, the five mile foot race from Linville to the summit of Grandfather Mountain.

Friday morning will begin with The Grizzly Bike Race  beginning at 7:30 am and MacRae Meadows opening at 9:00 am to begin a full day of music, dancing and athletic competitions. The evening will host the Celtic Music Jam Concert, beginning at 7:00 pm and going into the night until 11:00 pm. This concert traces the evolution of Celtic music from the ancient to the contemporary. The Scottish Country Dance Gala will also be hosted at Lees McRae College Gymnasium from 8:00 pm until midnight. Tickets will be sold at the door.

The Mountain Marathon will begin the events on Saturday at 7:00 am with gates to the meadows opening at 7:30 am. The day will continue with competitions in dancing, piping, fiddling, athletics, and Scottish harp. The children's tent will offer activities for the younger guests, traditional Scottish foods will be offered, and Clans will offer information about genealogy and history. 7:00 pm the fields will host the Celtic Rock Concert with adult tickets for $15, children's tickets for $5.

Sunday, July 15, the meadows will open at 8:00 am. The Scottish Worship Service begins at 9:00 with the Kirkin' of the Tartans. This day will conclude the competitions, with closing ceremonies at 4:00 pm. 

For more information about the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games please visit http://www.gmhg.org/