By Darlene Brace
You are invited to join in an unforgettable experience at the 19th Annual Jamestown Regional Celtic Festival and Gathering of the Clans. It will be taking place at Lakeside Park in Mayville on August 21st from 5pm-10pm and on the 22nd from 9am-9:30pm. This lively festival celebrates the heritage and culture of the Celtic nations, featuring an abundance delicious food, athletic competitions, live music, and other entertainment. Over twenty clans will be represented, each setting up a booth to showcase their unique history and traditions The festival highlights live performances from traditional Celtic rock bands as well as bagpipe and drum bands, including a grand performance by massed bands.
One of the highlights of this festival is the great Celtic music that will be played throughout the festival. On Friday night, the doors open at 5pm and the music kicks off with a performance by Tuatha Dea, starting at 6pm band. They have toured nationally and internationally, playing a fun mix of Celtic music along with rock, Appalachian blues, Americana, and drumming to create their unique and energetic sound. Tuatha Dea will also performs on Saturday from 1pm- 3pm and again from 6pm-9pm.
In addition to Tuatha Dea, several other fantastic Celtic performers from the Western New York area will entertain the crowd throughout the day on Saturday. Emerald Isle, Water Horse, Step N’ Time, MK Smith, and O’Ryan’s Belt will showcase their unique and energetic styles.
Attendees will also be delighted by the Irish and Scottish dancers, who will captivate the audience with their rapid, precise movements. The dancers create powerful rhythmic sounds through heavy tapping or clicking with their feet, making it a truly remarkable sight to see.
There will be several bagpipe and drum bands playing including the 96th Highlanders, Mackenzie Highlanders, Caledonian Pipe Band, Gordon Highlanders, Feadan Or, Celtic Circle Pipe Band, and Lochabar Pipe Band. They will play together at the Massed Band Performance at 1pm and again at 5pm.
As you immerse yourself in the vibrant cultural music, adults can treat themselves to a variety of adult beverages. They can indulge in fine beverages such as the bold, rich taste of Guinness, the smoothness of Smithwick’s, and the refreshing quality of Harp Lager. Additionally, there will be some of the finest brews and wines from local suppliers.
Another exciting aspect at the Celtic Festival is the Heavy Athletics Competition. This promises to deliver an electrifying experience featuring the New York State Heavy Athletes Championship. Starting Saturday morning and throughout the day, these traditional Scottish competitions test raw strength and skill. You can watch as contestants face off in events that will include the caber toss, sheaf toss, hammer throw, stone put, and much more. Male and female athletes will put their strength and skills to the test The winners will receive a commemorative plaque to celebrate their hard-earned victories.
If you are looking for something fun for your kids to do at the festival, children always enjoy participating in the Clan Hunt. In this engaging scavenger hunt-style activity, kids receive a map of Scotland and visit the booths of different clans. While at each clan booth, they learn a little about the clans and their heritage, collecting stamps on their map along the way. Once they complete the Clan Hunt, they are awarded a festival clan hunt medal.
When you and your group have worked up an appetite, there will be a variety of food options to feed your clan. Some food vendors such as Fowler’s Foods, 3’C’s Catering, Franklins Honey Apples and Kettle Corn and the Scottish Shortbread Company are some that are returning to this year’s festival. Some new food vendors like U Take The Cake and Pit Stop Pops will be there to serve you. There will also be a lot of returning and new vendors selling jewelry, home décor, planters, gnomes, kilts and other Celtic items.
Free parking is available, and there will be a complimentary shuttle service that will take you between the parking lot and the festival. To buy presale tickets for this amazing festival and for a detailed schedule of the music and all the events, visit 99thhighlanders.com.
Bring your family and friends to join the community at the 19th Jamestown Regional Celtic Festival in Mayville, happening on August 21st and 22nd. You can enjoy lively Celtic music, watch the Heavy Athletics Championship, and indulge in a wide variety of delicious food and beverages. Come and immerse yourself in Celtic culture and traditions at this exciting and unique festival.