Visitors to the festival filled Mayville’s Lakeside Park for the event, presented by the 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums Band and the Jamestown Regional Celtic Festival Committee.

Some came to hear the highland pipes, some came to search out their ancestry, some came to watch the unique Scottish competitions, but all came to enjoy a taste of the Celtic world.

Kate Rowle from Holland, N.Y., a descendant of Clan Cumming, helped many people research their ancestry. “I’ll find their family in the books and I will find that they had castles and towers, so I’ll read about it and learn even as they learn about it,” she said.

Rose McIlvain was one of those who Kate helped research her heritage. She said she was trying to determine if the ancestry was Scottish or Irish. “What we are finding is that MacIlvain is listed under Scotland, but McIlvain is under Ireland,” she said. “It’s interesting. I’ve been to Ireland, and my next step is Scotland.”

The sheath toss was one of the traditional Scottish competitions featured at the Celtic festival. Photo by David Prenatt

Tristan Wyatt also helped people conduct research as he sat in the tent of Clan Donnachaidh (Sons of Duncan). The clan has three main septs: Duncan, Robertson and Reed.

“We’ve had a number of people ask, ‘How do I find my clan?'” Wyatt said. “We’ve had some stop by that knew they were from our clan. that’s always nice.”

Shawn Lewis of Harborcreek, Pa., said his background is Celtic.

“My last name, family roots and origins are Celtic,” he said. “I believe we’re from Clan Macleod of the Isle of Lewis.”

Lewis said he likes watching the highland games, meeting the people who represent the clans, and hearing the drums and bagpipes.

Of particular interest to many was the attendance this year by the Clan of Bruce. The tent featured a statue of Robert the Bruce, who united the clans and led Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence against England, then became King of Scotland.

There were also several interesting characters walking about the park grounds. Visitors may have been surprised to see trees walking around and engaging whomever was brave enough to approach them. These “green men” symbolize man’s reliance on and union with nature, and are recognized as a sign of rebirth.

Another interesting character that drew many people’s attention was Adam Weimer, also known as Duncan of Clan Menzies. Dressed in furs and face paint, Weimer carried a log and a horn, which attracted the attention of visitors.

“Some people carry a walking stick. I carry a walking log,” Weimer said. “It’s to maintain your strength during times of peace. It’s like a portable gym.”

The games are always of great interest, and the divisions ranged from youth to professional. The caber toss, the hammer throw and the sheath toss competitions went on throughout the day.

And, of course, the sound of pipes & drums filled the air throughout the day, as one band after another performed in succession, culminating in the massed band performance. All the band joined in the center lawn, playing in unison.

During the massed band performance, a special honors ceremony was held for four members of the “festival family” who died earlier this year. Three swords with clan colors tied to them represented the three clans of the deceased. those honored were Alicia Crowley, Ricky D. Colley, and Lee and Jill Alexander.

At the end of the day, the clans each went their own way and all the tents were struck. But the organizers of the festival expressed a wish to all those who attended: Slainte Mhath (good health) and Beannachd Leibh (good night).