The 20th Annual Calaveras Celtic Faire & Highland Games is returning to the Frogtown Fairgrounds in Angels Camp, Friday, March 10 through Sunday, March 12, 2006. We are proud to host this unbridled energy and spirit of the Celtic nations, featuring bag piping, Highland dance, fiddle performances and heavyweight athletic events. The hot traditional Irish bands Grada and Black Brothers will headline an impressive 2006 Calaveras Celtic Faire music lineup which includes Wicked Tinkers, Tempest, the Black Irish Band and Molly's Revenge. A dazzling array of Scottish food and drink as well as a variety of unique items offered by vendors are also part of the experience. A complete listing of additional performances and bios for each of the headliners is available on the website at www.calaverascelticfaire.com

"Music always plays a major role in our Festival's tradition and this year's outstanding line up of nationally and internationally known musicians showcase the rich tapestry of talent our community represents," said Patrick Karnahan, the Festival's producer and president.

The event will open Friday morning March 10 at 9:30am to over 500 junior high school students of 4-6 surrounding counties. Students will experience first hand the enchanting world of Celtic history, adventure and magic. Students will be invited meet the knights in armor, listen to a Celtic concert and bagpipe music and much more.

The festival will kick off on Friday evening with the popular Ceilidh (pronounced Kay-Lee), a celebration of contemporary Celtic music and dance featuring Wicket Tinkers. Saturday’s schedule of events includes bag piping and drum competitions; Highland Dance competitions, athletic competitions, living history village, falconry and a variety of interactive children’s games. Guests can enjoy ethnic food and drink and a host of cultural exhibits and merchandise native to Scotland and the Celtic fringe. In addition patrons will have a chance to judge the annual whiskey tasting competition. Attendees will taste 10 types of unmarked whiskey and be asked once and for all which is the best. Entrees will include Irish whiskey, single malt scotches from Scotland, bourbon from the United States and other international entrees.

One of the premier events of the weekend is the Highland Heavyweight Athletic Championships, featuring traditional Scottish contests including the Caber Toss (flipping 20-foot, 140-pound tree trunk), the 22-pound Hammer Throw, the Sheaf Toss (flipping a bale of hay over a high bar) and the Clachnert (throwing a 16-pound river stone). The Championships are sanctioned by the governing body of the SAAA.

The Living History Village will feature historical re-enactors from various time periods exhibiting Gatling gun exhibitions, battle pageants, amazing feats of falconers, jousting knights and noble steeds clashing on the tourney field, the Royal Court of Mary Stewart, Queen of Scots, minstrels, jugglers, bards, stilt walkers, fire eaters, bawdy wenches and much more. A tournament of combat featuring numerous sword styles will be held throughout the weekend.

"This is the largest and best Scottish festival in the California,” Karnahan said. “We pride ourselves on making families feel like they’ve been transported to Scotland for a weekend of fun while enjoying a unique opportunity to learn more about Scottish culture.”

More than 20,000 people are expected to attend this year's festival.

Frogtown Fairgrounds are located Angels Camp, California. The Friday night Ceilidh runs from 7-10 pm and costs $10 per person. The festival will run all day Saturday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm and Sunday from 10:00am - 5:00pm, rain or shine. Tickets at the gate cost $20.00 for adults, $18 for students, military and seniors and $10 for children between 6-12. Children under five are free. Advance discounted tickets can be purchased starting January 15th online and through series of retailers and via website. For more information please visit www.CalaverasCelticFaire.com