MILFORD, Mass. — What started as a small backyard gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into an international celebration of strength, culture, and community.
The No Fame Games will return to Fino Field in Milford on Saturday, June 13, hosting the inaugural Celtic Strength World Championship, an all-day festival featuring world-class athletes, cultural demonstrations, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities.
Founder Josh McIntosh said the event has grown steadily since its launch in 2021 while remaining committed to its original mission of rebuilding community through sport.
“We really try to focus on authenticity,” McIntosh said during an interview on The Zone on MyFM 101.3. “It started as a backyard event and grew organically and naturally each year.”
Gates open at 8:30 a.m., with an opening ceremony scheduled for 9 a.m. The ceremony will feature remarks from Tom Mackey, president of the Éire Society of Boston, performances of the American, Scottish, and Irish national anthems, a reading of the poem Mac Tíre by Ger Devine, the inauguration of Clach Fear Alba, and the ceremonial first Braemar Stone Put toss to officially open the games.
Competition begins at 10 a.m. with the launch of the Highland Games Pro League and the North American Scottish Backhold Wrestling Championship. Athletes from South Africa, the Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and across the United States will compete throughout the day, with McIntosh noting that several longstanding world records could potentially be broken.
“You know, there are athletes coming that it’s very likely there’s going to be world records (3:15) broken this Saturday that are longstanding world records.” he said.
The event will showcase four major championships, including the Celtic Strength World Championship, Team Highlander Competition, North American Scottish Backhold Wrestling Championship, and the Northeast Irish Collar and Elbow Wrestling Championship.
The Team Highlander Competition, running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will test competitors in events such as truck pulls, wagon wheel deadlifts, caber throws for distance, natural stone lifts, and challenge stone throws.
One of the most historic moments of the day will come during the Northeast Irish Collar and Elbow Wrestling Championship from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. According to McIntosh, the event marks the revival of a sport once practiced by figures such as George Washington and absent from championship competition for roughly a century.
Beyond the competition field, organizers have assembled a full festival atmosphere. Visitors can participate in Celtic stonelifting try-it stations, watch demonstrations in bataireacht stickfighting, catch wrestling, bareknuckle boxing, and Scottish wrestling, or attend the “What is Celtic Strength?” panel discussion at 11 a.m. featuring professors from Harvard University, Boston College, Boston University, and cultural educators from the Celtic community.
“If we don’t preserve these traditions, they die,” McIntosh said. “It’s important to keep these things alive.”
The event also places a strong emphasis on family participation. Children’s activities include face painting, sack races, live entertainment from Tank Entertainment, and a popular kids-versus-pros tug-of-war competition scheduled for 2 p.m.
Music and entertainment will continue throughout the day, including a live DJ performance sponsored by Red Bull beginning at noon. A Guinness-sponsored beer garden will be open from noon until 4 p.m., while Guinness Ambassador Michael Reardon will host Perfect Pour demonstrations at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Attendees can also participate in the Highlander Fitness Challenge, try their hand at a Zercher squat station hosted by The Top Strength Project, or walk the red carpet during the public Tartanista Runway Fashion Show at 1 p.m., judged by social media personalities Sheena Melwani and The Real Indian Dad, among others.
McIntosh said inclusivity remains one of the event’s guiding principles.
“Everyone gets to party together,” he said. “It’s very important for that communal aspect that we honor everybody there, not just the pros.”
Closing remarks and awards are scheduled for 4 p.m., bringing to an end what organizers hope will be a landmark day for Celtic athletics and culture.
Tickets are available through the No Fame Games website for $20 for adults and $10 for children, with family packages also available.
For more information, visit nofamegames.com. The No Fame Games and Celtic Strength World Championship will take place Saturday, June 13, at Fino Field in Milford.
