National Tartan Day -- Wednesday, April 7

Come to Athena for a free weekend of Scottish heritage and traditions. You’ll love the Highland dancing competition and hear the skirl of the bagpipes in our City Park. The sheep dog trials are very popular. Watch the dogs work with the handler as they maneuver sheep through prescribed gates with whistle and spoken commands. It is fascinating to watch.

The Scottish athletic competitions are open to all who want to try to toss the hammer or the caber! The competition is a friendly mix with professional athletes and beginners both. The athletic competition begins at noon, with no pre-registration or fees. Hoot, mon! Walk right up and sign in. It is great fun.

You can be a spectator or you can be active and join in many of our activities. You can enter the 5 K run, or throw horseshoes in a tournament. There is an outdoor concert featuring bagpipe bands on the field. It is something to see all the bands together in the finale with our Blue Mountains in the background. Called the Tattoo after the military review, the concert is at 6:30 PM and is the only paid venue we have.

The full schedule is developing but the highlights are the Highland dancing, piping and Scottish heavy event competitions, sheep dog trials, clan tents, free entertainment, a parade, a 5K run, vendors, Celtic story telling and harp performances. It is all free. (It is a free day but if you would buy our Caledonian Games program, it helps us to pay the bills. The program outlines the complete schedule and gives you tidbits and Scottish and Athena’s history too.)

Hoot, mon! It is a wonderful festival with lots of folks to meet. We say “It’s Scot to be Athena!” for music, dancing, friends, food and a story or two under a great tree in our park.

Athena Caledonian Games
P O Box 161
Athena, Oregon 97813

Inquiries at 541.566.3880

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