LI Celtic Festival and Highland Games draws thousands to Old Westbury Gardens
Mike Pfeiffer, of Schenectady, takes part in the Caber Toss competition during the Long Island Celtic Festival and Highland Games at Old Westbury Gardens on Saturday. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Devin Blaine's journey to the Long Island Celtic Festival and Highlands Games began in 1621, when his ancestors boarded a boat bound for the United States, he said.
Blaine, as well as the rest of the Clan Gordon Highlander Pipe Band, was one of the musical acts that provided a traditional soundtrack on Saturday at the Long Island Celtic Festival and Highland Games, where at least 4,000 gathered at Old Westbury Gardens under clear skies to celebrate Scottish, Irish and Welsh culture. Tickets ranged from $12-$27 based on age and when tickets were purchased.
For Blaine, performing at the event is a way of honoring his Scottish roots. He was dressed in a Gordon kilt, with a clan badge affixed to his shoulder and a dirk blade in his boot.
"In America, anything cultural or folkie disappears pretty quick, and is just replaced by the McDonald's, Amazon culture," Blaine, 43, of Kings Park, said. He said his ancestors arrived on the Fortune ship, just after the Mayflower, and participated in the first Thanksgiving. "I make sure that any event that I feel culturally connected to, that I make a point of going to it, and supporting it."
At least 4,000 attended the second annual festival and enjoyed events like circle dancing. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Guests gathered in lawn chairs on the Garden's grounds, enjoying the music and sunshine. Vendors served traditional Celtic food items such as meat pies, Scottish shortbread, Wimbleton and strawberry shortcake. Others hawked traditional trinkets and clothing, including Celtic capes and ponchos.
The children's corner, "Wee Celt Land," featured face painting, a magician, a puppet show and birds of prey.
The event has been held on the Gardens' grounds for decades. It was formerly known as the Long Island Scottish Festival and Highland Games and run by the Long Island Scottish Clan MacDuff. The festival was taken over by the Gardens two years ago, said Maritza Ramirez, the Gardens' marketing communications specialist, in an interview.
"It became a tradition, and something Old Westbury Gardens was known for," Ramirez said. "I always think it's important to be seen, in terms of anybody's individual heritage."
The Northport Pipe & Drum Band performed during the festival, which celebrates Scottish, Irish and Welsh heritage. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
On one end of the field, people gathered to watch athletes perform a series of traditional Scottish games, including the caber toss, where participants are tasked with tossing a massive tapered pole. Victory is achieved when the participant flips the pole completely over on its other side.
Karen Crook, of Lindenhurst, was among those watching the men in kilts gather the pole, lean it against their shoulders and fling it into the air with their hands. She is of Irish descent, and her husband is Scottish and Irish. They were holding a family reunion, and she was particularly excited for the athletic events.
"Keep the heritage alive, and for young people to learn about their ancestry," she said of the event's significance.
Several participants were unsuccessful, until finally, one man's pole soared through the air and landed on the opposite side. The man fell to his knees, flung his head back and threw his hands in the air as the crowd cheered.
"He got it," Crook said, smiling.
Joshua Needelman covers the Town of North Hempstead for Newsday. A Long Island native and University of Maryland graduate, his work has appeared in publications including The New York Times and The Washington Post.
