www.CelticFestMS.org
CelticFest Mississippi 2010, Celtic Heritage Society’s 19th annual weekend of cultural celebration is almost here! It’s a packed weekend of Celtic music, dance, and fun not to be missed.
“CelticFest” is a celebration of the Celtic nations including Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, the Isle of Man and Brittany. It takes place on September 10-13 at the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Museum. CelticFest ...features an exceptional variety of exciting Irish and Scottish music and dance on 7 stages, plus free Celtic heritage, music and dance workshops, a children’s area, Celtic specialty vendors, and plenty of food and drink. Because much of the festival takes place indoors, CelticFest will be held RAIN OR SHINE!
CelticFest features several headlining artists of both international status and high caliber. 2010’s artists are Irish supergroup TÉADA (a young five-piece band from Ireland), New York-based DONIE CARROLL & FRIENDS, and CAPTAIN MACKEY’S GOATSKIN & STRING BAND, featuring Máirtín de Cógáin and Jimmy Crowley, both of Co. Cork.
CelticFest’s schedule of music will be splitting its seams for 2010 with over 45 other music and dance groups, travelling to Mississippi from as far away as California, Michigan, Rhode Island, Florida. Nine-Eighths Irish, Avoca, Kelly, and Slip Jig join the festival alongside old favorites Smithfield Fair, Finvarra’s Wren, Legacy, Jim Flanagan, and more.
The festivities begin Friday night 7pm-12am with music/dance performances on multiple stages, vendors, the Whiskey and Scotch Tasting benefit, and an open tune session. On Saturday, the gates open at 10 am with even more entertainment, workshops, and activities continuously until midnight. The gates open again 11 am Sunday for another day of Celtic fun.
A popular feature of last year’s festival, the Highland Games demonstration, will expand to a two-day affair. Mighty indeed!
An ever popular highlight of CelticFest, the massive Céilí Dance (pronounced ‘kay-lee’) caps off the Saturday night. Co. Cork native and featured Dancemaster, Éamonn de Cógáin will lead the Céilí for his third year running. No dancing experience is required to participate – beginners are welcome.
The children won’t be left out— CelticFest is a family-friendly festival! There will be a Children’s Area and kid-oriented vendors on the grounds.
Admission is $12 for an adult Weekend Pass, $8 for seniors and students, $5 for children ages 5-17, and $1 for children under four. “A greater value of this quality can’t be had in Jackson….,” says Harvey Kimble, past president of the Celtic Heritage Society.
The Celtic Heritage Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with the mission of promoting and preserving the arts and culture of the Celtic nations. CelticFest is a family-oriented event, and all CHS events are open to the public.
CelticFest’s sponsors include: Fenian’s Irish Pub, Wine & Spirits In the Quarter, Cabot Lodge Millsaps, Branch Cable, Capital Cities Beverages and Guinness, and the Jackson Irish Dancers. This project is also funded in part by a grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency and by South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Mississippi Arts Commission.
