Neil Gillette and Lauren Douglas preview the 2026 Elizabeth Celtic Festival, taking place July 18–19 at Casey Jones Park in Elizabeth, Colorado. They discuss the festival’s Scottish Highland Games, world-class athletic competitions, Highland dancing, pipe bands, live Celtic music, hands-on workshops, family activities, and opportunities for visitors to experience Celtic culture firsthand. The conversation also highlights the festival’s welcoming atmosphere, its history of hosting world-record-setting athletic performances, and what attendees can expect throughout the weekend (Air Date 7/15/26).
Listen to the interview here:
Transcript:
Rodger Hara: Good evening. I’ve got Neil Gillette and Lauren Douglas on the phone tonight to talk about the Elizabeth Celtic Festival coming up this weekend. Neil and Lauren, how are you?
Lauren Douglas: Great. Thanks for having us, Roger.
Rodger Hara: You’re welcome. Neil, tell us about the festival. What’s happening this year?
Neil Gillette: It’s like the classic Scottish Highland Games, built around competitions. Is my clan stronger than your clan? Let’s throw some stones around and see who’s tougher. My piper can out-pipe your piper, and my dancer can out-dance your dancer. There are things to do, things to learn, and things to trade. It’s really a Scottish cultural gathering.
The Highland Games are centered around eight traditional Scottish athletic events. The most famous is the caber toss, where competitors throw what looks like a telephone pole. There’s also the hammer toss, which uses a heavy metal ball attached to a stick.
We’ve had two world records set at our festival. In 2019, Emily Hilty set the standing world record in the women’s weight over the bar, throwing a 32-pound weight 21 feet, 6 inches. That record still stands.
Then last year, Burger Hambreck set a men’s world record in the Braemar Stone, which is similar to the shot put except you must stand still. He threw it 50 feet, 8½ inches, the first time the 50-foot mark had ever been broken in competition.
One of the world’s top Scottish athletics record holders was here announcing the event and witnessed that throw. He marveled at what he saw. It’s exciting to have world records set here in Elizabeth. This isn’t new for our festival—we’ve had records set here before—but it’s always tremendous.
There are many different categories of athletes, and it’s fun to watch. Hank Bradshaw, who runs the athletic events, tells stories and gets the crowd engaged. Some people come to watch the athletics and never leave because they enjoy it so much.
We also have the Highland dance competition, which is both an art form and a sport. The week after our festival is the United States Highland Dancing Championship in Dallas, so some of the dancers competing here will be heading there. We also have dancers coming from Scotland, so you’ll see a very high level of competition.
We have nine pipe bands attending, representing some of the best bands in Colorado.
Another thing we emphasize is participation. When you arrive, you’ll receive a brochure highlighting activities you can try yourself. You can make leather crafts, play the harp, learn Irish céilí dancing, or participate in activities for kids like the Passport to the Clans. Older kids can take part in the Celtic Quest, where they explore the grounds solving clues, such as identifying which clan has a sword on its shield. There are lots of interactive experiences throughout the festival.
Lauren, you should talk about the entertainment.
Lauren Douglas: We have booked some wonderful local bands this year. We have two stages.
On the outdoor Caledonia Stage on Saturday, we’ll feature Skinn Dò, Down the Back Lane, and The Commoners.
Inside Ceilidh Hall, we’ll have harp workshops. You can sign up, receive a student harp, and learn to play one or two tunes in an hour with no experience required. Mary Ann Goodland, who teaches the workshop, will also perform later in the day.
We’ll also host the Family Ceilidh, where visitors can learn Irish céilí dancing, followed by a performance from the McDevitt Trio.
On Sunday, the Caledonia Stage will feature Gob Zo Fun, Amharcán, and the Cask and Chisel Celtic Band.
We’ll continue the harp workshops, céilí dancing, and performances in the hall. At 4:00 Saturday afternoon, we’ll also have a song and tune circle. If you play an instrument or enjoy singing, come join us and share music in a round-robin format.
Rodger Hara: Where is the festival being held?
Neil Gillette: Elizabeth, Colorado is about 15 miles east of Castle Rock along Highway 86. You travel through Castle Rock to Franktown, then continue to Elizabeth.
The festival takes place at Casey Jones Park on the east side of town. As you come over the hill into Elizabeth, you’ll see all the tents and cars. It’s a big event.
The gates open at 9:00 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday we’re open until 5:00 p.m., and on Sunday until 4:00 p.m.
It’s a little like the musical Brigadoon. This village appears for one weekend each year, and when it’s over, it disappears. On Sunday evening we take down every tent, clean everything up, and by Monday everyone is back to their regular jobs. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a lot of fun.
Rodger Hara: That sounds wonderful. Where can people find more information online?
Neil Gillette: Visit www.elizabethcelticfest.org. It’s a great website.
Rodger Hara: The Elizabeth Celtic Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, July 18 and 19, at Casey Jones Park. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday. There will be food, music, dance, piping, Scottish athletics, and plenty of things to see and do. Neil and Lauren, thank you very much, and good luck with everything. I look forward to seeing you at the festival.
Lauren Douglas: Thank you, Roger.
Neil Gillette: Thank you.
