Celtic weekend in Burlington County

The South Jersey Celtic Festival and Highland Games returns Oct. 10-11 with athletes tossing cabers, live Celtic music and Irish dancers on stage.

Free, with a small ask

Both days run 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Burlington County Fairgrounds in Columbus. Admission costs nothing, though organizers request a $10 donation per person.

“Admission is free, though organizers are requesting a $10 donation per person.”

Fifth year running

This is the fifth annual edition of the festival, organized by the South Jersey Celtic Society.

Saturday belongs to the games

Athletes compete in traditional Scottish events: the caber toss, the hammer throw and the shot put.

Flipping a giant pole

The caber toss means flipping a long wooden pole end over end. It is the image most people picture when they hear Highland Games.

“one of the most recognizable Highland Games events”

Try it yourself Sunday

A Highland Games clinic runs Sunday for anyone who wants to learn the throws instead of just watching them.

Hurling on the field

The South Jersey Rebels demonstrate hurling, the fast Irish game played with a wooden stick and ball, and run mini games for people who want to pick up a hurley.

Music both days

The Shantys play Saturday and Charlie Zahm takes Sunday, with bagpipers plus Irish and Celtic dancers filling out the lineup.

Food trucks, beer and mead

Vendors ring the fairgrounds with food, craft beer, wine and mead between the competitions and performances.

Whiskey tasting, ticket required

The society's Scotch and Whiskey Appreciation Club runs a separate tasting, priced around $45 with a $10 cheese pairing. Seating is limited.

“Seating is limited.”