Published: Monday, June 21, 2010, 6:27 AM
SUE GLEITER, The Patriot-News

Typically, celebrities aren’t a part of the agenda at Mount Hope Estate & Winery’s events in Manheim. But organizers have brought in Danny Bonaduce, former child actor and Philadelphia radio host, for the Celtic Fling & Highland Games, June 26-27.

The former star of “The Partridge Family” will compete Sunday in the amateur Highland Games Caber Toss Competition. Competitors run and heave eight-foot tapered logs. Given the red-headed Bonaduce is a boxer, it’s likely he’ll do well in the competition.

The Highland Games starts Saturday. Men and women will test their agility at the Highland Games with the Clachneart, the two and four stone weight toss, Scottish hammer, caber toss, sheaf toss, and four stone weight throw for height. On Sunday the public is welcome to try their hand at the games and watch Bonaduce, who also starred in his reality show “Breaking Bonaduce.”

The three-day Celtic celebration also encompasses contests, food, entertainment, arts and crafts. It runs 6-10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Tickets are $19.95 for Friday and $25.95 for adults and $9.95 for children on Saturday-Sunday.

The weekend kicks off Friday with the rock/pop Celtic sounds of Enter the Haggis and the high energy lyrical driven music of The Young Dubliners joined by nationally known bagpiper Eric Rigler.

Throughout the weekend, seven stages will be alive with music from the gypsy Eastern European influence of Scythian to nationally-known Celtic groups, Barleyjuice and Solas.
Irish dancers will compete Saturday in the sanctioned Celtic Fling Feis.

Graze on a variety of foods including favorites like shepherd’s pie, Irish potato soup and bangers and mash. Shop the more than 160 vendors selling everything from kilts to baked goods.