Experience a whole weekend of Scottish & Celtic culture, with the Avenue of Clans, Scottish craft & food vendors, Scottish music & dancing, as well as Highland Games.

Saturday, September 9th, 2023

At beautiful Tam O'Shanter Park on Saturday, September 9th, 2023 the festivities begin.  At 9:00 am the Highland Dance Competition. and Highland Games begin.  At 10:00 am please join us for the annual Highlander Festival Parade.  Also beginning at 10:00 am join us for the Kelso Garden Club Flower Show "Journey Through The Highlands". At 11:00 the Silent Auction begins.  At 12:30 the Opening Ceremonies & Parade of Clans begins on the field.  The Silent Auction ends at 4:00.  The entertainment continues all day Saturday with music by:  Beltaine and pipe bands from Ft. Vancouver and Tacoma Scots.  This is located under the covered area.

Sunday, September 10th, 2023

At 8:00 AM  please join us for the Kirkin' of the Tartan Worship Service at Tam O'Shanter Park and again at 11:00 AM at the Kelso Methodist Presbyterian Church in Kelso at 206 Cowlitz Way.  There will be a bagpiper and a Highland Dancer performing.

The Highland Games will begin at the park at 9:00 AM with those hardy lads and lasses tossing the caber and throwing the stone. There will be entertainment in the afternoon at the park with the Wicked Tinkers, and Beltaine.

The Kilted Klassic Golf Tournament at Three Rivers Golf Course will be held on July 31st. Contact Mike Fowler 360-749-4925 if interested.

The Kelso Rotary will be holding their Annual Duck Race in the afternoon raising money for charities and scholarships.

Saturday, September 9, 2023

8:00 AM - Registration for Individual Heavyweight Athletics

9:00 AM –  Clan Tents open in the park

Food and Craft Vendors open

Individual Heavyweight Games Begin

Parade lineup downtown Kelso

10:00 AM -  Festival parade from downtown Kelso to the park – awards given at lineup.

Flower Show – under new covered area

Dance Competition – morning session

11:00 AM - Silent Auction Begins

11:30 AM - Dance Premier Choreography

Entertainment under the covered area with Beltaine

12:30 PM - Opening Ceremonies

Posting of colors – Mass Bands – Ft Vancouver Pipe Band and Tacoma Scots Pipe Band

PROCESSION OF DIGNITAIRES

Parade of Clans, Anthems & Invocation

1:00 PM - Highland Dance Competition – afternoon session

1:15 PM - Beltaine

2:15 PM - Fort Vancouver Pipe Band performance

3:15 PM - Tacoma Scots Pipe Band performance

4:00 PM - Beltaine

4:45 PM - Silent Auction ends and winners announced.

Sunday, September 10, 2023

8:00 AM - Check-in for Team Heavyweight Athletics

8:00 AM - Kirkin’ of the Tartan Worship service in park

9:00 AM - Team Heavyweight Games Begin

9:30 AM - Kirkin’ of the Tartan Worship service at Kelso United Methodist Presbyterian Church - 206 Cowlitz Way. Reception to follow.

10:00 AM - Clan Tents open

Food and Craft Vendors open

11:00 AM -  Beltaine

12:00 PM - Wicked Tinkers

1:00 PM -  Beltaine

2:00 PM - Wicked Tinkers

Kelso Rotary Duck Race

3:00 PM -  Beltaine

4:15 PM - Wicked Tinkers

Date: September 9-10, 2023

Location:  Various Venues in Kelso, WA 98626

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