Celtic contest

This Celtic sports event ranks as unusual and spirited. Kilted athletes compete in the stone put, caber toss, Scottish hammer throw, weight over bar and sheaf toss. The equipment is like none you’ve ever seen and the events are challenging, to say the least. Hosted by the St. Andrew Society of Central Illinois Ancient Athletics, the Shamrock Games are one of several competitions the group sponsors each year. Fourteen records have been broken at these Springfield games and the unit boasts two world champions. Also during the day, the society’s pipers, drummers and dancers perform, food is available and DJ entertainment follows the games.

11th Annual Shamrock Games
Saturday, Mar 20,
9am-6pm
Illinois State Fairgrounds Coliseum
www.ancientathletics.com
Free

This article appears in Mar 18-24, 2010.