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Celtic Radio Community > General Discussion > What Is Your Local Celtic Festival ?

Posted by: braveharp 30-Mar-2008, 09:47 AM

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Which Festivals do you plan to attend ?

Three years ago I attended my first Celtic Festival - Little Rock, Arkansas

A year later I went to North Texas Irish Festival in Dallas - it was huge ! There were
lots of sessions and tons of instruments to try and buy. All kinds of Celtic related
things - Total immersion in all things Irish

Then I went to Kansas City Irish Festival - also huge - I took my wife to this one and
she had a blast and wants to go again this year !

These Celtic Folk know how to have a good time. Tell me about the ones in your neck
of the woods !
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=b0dhran

Posted by: Robert Phoenix 30-Mar-2008, 10:06 AM

Its the big one in Milwaukee for me each year. You should try to see this one at least once.

http://www.irishfest.com/

St. Paul, MN has one with free admission but I haven't been able to get that weekend off yet.
And if anyone wants to start a Celtic festival in the U.P. of Michigan I'll probably be the first one at the gate.

Posted by: FamhairCloiche 31-Mar-2008, 11:33 AM

I used to live in Dallas, and you're right about the North Texas Irish Festival. We have a Scottish festival here in Tulsa late in the summer. I was only able to attend literally the last two hours, and by then everybody was pretty much packed up. So I really don't know how that one is.

Posted by: Sekhmet 31-Mar-2008, 12:51 PM

My local ones are the Ligonier Highland Games, which is the weekend after Labor Day every year, and then there's a small one up in Edinboro, PA in the spring that I went to while my sister was going to college there.

I keep threatening to go to Grandfather Mountain in NC again, but I just don't have the wherewithal to get packed up and down there. Man is that a FUN weekend.

OH! And I forgot about the Pittsburgh Irish Festival, which unfortunately hits the same weekend as Ligonier just about every year. That's the only reason why I haven't gone to it, otherwise I'd be there with bells on.

Posted by: John Clements 31-Mar-2008, 02:25 PM

Every morning at the crack of dawn, I put on my kilt and go out in the back yare and toss the caber, (which is it’s really more like an 8 foot 2x4) followed immediately by downing a Bud and a corn muffin. I’m just kidding of course, since it’s been some 20 years, since I attended a Scottish Festival, some where down in South Jersey, (where by the way, I actually did accomplish tossing the caber). Some how, I doubt that I could do it now, but I guess I’ll have to look into it, because the fish and chips in a paper bag sure were good.

Posted by: ballydun 01-Apr-2008, 02:46 PM

We have a festival here in Albuquerque in Mid-May. It is OK, but getting bigger. Actually this year there will be a lot more than in years past including a rugby 7's tournament, a Gaelic Football demonstration and a Hurling game!
Usually there are the typical Highland games, piping and dancing competitions and vendors.

I really enjoy the fest in Estes Park CO. Beautiful part of the country and they get great musicians and vendors there. Lots of fun

Posted by: A Shrule Egan 02-Apr-2008, 08:05 PM

Find a flight to Allentown, Pa. (ABE) and attend the biggest festival in all of North America, The Celtic Classic. Three days of music, dance, Highlander games and FOOD!!

Check out the web page: http://www.celticfest.org/

Posted by: MDF3530 02-Apr-2008, 09:48 PM

Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest: http://www.chicagogaelicpark.org/Irish_Fest/index.htm

City of Chicago Celtic Fest: http://www.celticfestchicago.us

Posted by: Emmet 05-Apr-2008, 05:14 AM

Our Celtic Festival is in November, and our Highland games are next week. They're the highlight of our season (which for us runs through the winter; the Games are our last event) and for the first time in about four years I don't have a wedding to pipe next Saturday so I'll be able to attend; I'm really looking forward to it.

http://dunedinhighlandgames.com/games.html
April 12, 2008

http://dunedinhighlandgames.com/celtfest.html

user posted image

Posted by: Emmet 05-Apr-2008, 10:09 AM

Our "Highland Games Week" includes:
A pub crawl (last night).
A Scottish Breakfast (I piped 3 hours straight on the smallpipes this morning).
The Dunedin Tattoo (tonight, but I have to pipe a wedding in Tampa).
Kirkin' of the Tartans tomorrow at the Kirk of Dunedin.
Tartan Day at Flanagan's Irish Pub.
A whisky tasting (I pipe out the first keg of Dunedin Brewery's "Highland Games Ale").
A haggis hunt (I pipe that, too).
A clan reception.
and finally the Games themselves, usually followed by a ceilidh at the Dunedin Brewery.

Posted by: Haggishead 05-Apr-2008, 10:28 AM

I, too, love the Estes Park, Colorado festival. The link is http://www.scotfest.com
Very big and attracts folks from all over. Plus, you can't beat the setting. Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park!

For a smaller event, I really enjoy the games in Flagstaff, AZ. Their link is
http://www.nachs.info/flagstafffestival.asp

Posted by: Thecorgiwoman 10-Apr-2008, 08:40 PM

Texas Scottish Festival
http://www.texasscottishfestival.com/

June 6-8
This one is really big. There's lots of vendors. lots of stages with all celtic music tastes from traditional to Celtic Rock. The children have a tent with racing events, crafts etc. They also get to learn how to throw a caber using a large cardboard tube. It's not light or short I can tell you.

The kids win a drink or cotton candy from a sponsored vendor if they complete a passport of clans. Every clan has a stamp and the kids learn a bit of history from each. Downside is that it is veryhot inside the stadium. Bring hats, sunscreen and drink plenty of water because its summer in Texas.

Posted by: ranger 10-Apr-2008, 09:47 PM

My work will find me in the Quantico, VA. area from the first of July through mid-September. Does anyone have any suggestions as to games, festivals or just good old pubs in that area? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Posted by: Druid_of_Ark 11-Apr-2008, 07:00 AM

Ok I have to shamelessly plug the planned Scottish Festival of Perry County AR. It will be sometiem in the summer 2009 sponsored by the Celtic Society of Arkansas. Details will be posted as they become more available. or you can E-mail [email protected] to reserve a Clan Tent.