Evening activities at the 56th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games offer an exciting opportunity for 21st Century patrons to step into the medieval world that shaped our ancestors and immerse themselves in the modern Celtic music that resonates from that stirring heritage.
Whether attending the Torchlight Ceremony on July 7, the Celtic Jam on July 8, or the Celtic Rock Concert on July 9, everyone will come away feeling that “long ago and far away” is as close as the North Carolina highlands in July.
The “Gathering” begins on July 7 as folks flock to MacRae Meadows to spread out a blanket and enjoy bagpipe concerts or sheep herding demonstration while waiting for twilight when the dramatic opening ceremonies begin.
When darkness falls, the leaders of 112 sponsoring clans step forward to announce that their family line is represented at the games in a moving torchlight ceremony held to invoke the "Spirit of the Clans" upon the gathering. The primitive ceremony hearkens back to the days when Celts banned together on the fields of battle to defend the Highlands from invaders.
Friday night the Celtic Jam is held in MacRae Meadows and features performances that celebrate the connections between the traditional music of the Celtic Isles and the bluegrass music of the Southern Appalachians. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children.
The Celtic Rock Concert on Saturday night, also held in MacRae Meadows, begins at 5:30 pm with rousing entertainment from Celtic Connections and the Chelsea House Orchestra.  Then the Celtic rock bands return to the field to set the night on fire with encore performance from The Blessed Blend, Cutthroat Shamrock, Brother, Saor Patrol, Mother Grove and Rathkeltair.  Tickets to the Celtic Rock Concert are $15 for adults and $5 for children with free parking available on a first come basis.
New to the games this year is Saor Patrol, a band from the heart of Scotland whose pipes and drums create a unique Tribal Celtic Rock sound that has earned them comparisons to ZZ Top and Motorhead.
For more information on the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, phone (828) 733-1333 or visit online www.gmhg.org.

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