United Irish of Dayton’s Celtic Festival 2010
WHERE: Riverscape Metropark, 111 E. Monument Ave., Dayton
WHEN: 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, July 30; noon to 11 p.m. July 31; 10 to 6 p.m. Aug. 1
ADMISSION: Free
MORE INFO: (937) 372-9788 or visit www.unitedirishofdayton.org for a complete schedule of events
AFTER PARTY: Flanagan’s Pub, 101 East Stewart St., Dayton, will host an afterparty with The Rovers providing music on Saturday night at 11 p.m.
DAYTON — One of the city’s largest festivals returns this weekend in a flurry of kilts, bagpipes, dancing, music and plenty of other things to keep visitors entertained.
United Irish of Dayton’s Celtic Festival, now in it’s ninth year, focuses on providing entertainment that can also educate visitors on the heritage and culture of Celtic Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.
The Irish Arts Tent will offer visitors free workshops focused on Irish music, arts and crafts, language and dance.
Vendors will be on hand selling jewelry, clothing, food and beer.
“Our festival is also the only Midwest Region Irish festival known to exclusively serve the genuine Irish beer products of Guinness, Smithwick’s and Harp,” says Mary Robertson, co-director and marketing chair for the event. “We also serve more of these products in a weekend than any other weekend event in the region.”
Kids can enjoy the Rainbow’s End Children’s Area, where kids are invited to play games and make crafts while learning about Celtic heritage. Renaissance Festival cast members will be in this area Saturday, July 21, and again from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 1 from noon to 3 p.m. providing entertainment.
Three covered stages will showcase entertainment throughout the day, most notably by national musical acts Gaelic Storm, The Elders, Teada and Scythian.
“With the edition of The Elders, the 2010 Dayton Celtic Festival entertainer line-up stacks up to a rare opportunity to see four top-notch bands for free,” says Bill Russell, festival entertainment director.
CONTACT this reporter at (937) 225-2383 or mbush@DaytonDailyNews.com.
RETURNING TO THE 2010 DAYTON CELTIC FESTIVAL
GAELIC MASS
A traditional Catholic Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 1, at Riverscape’s new Pavilion on Monument Ave. Father Sean Patrick Kealy will celebrate the mass in both English and Gaelic.
5K run
The race will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 31 with registration beginning at 3 p.m. Visit www.unitedirishof dayton.org/festival/5k.html for more information and to pre-register.
NEW TO 2010 DAYTON CELTIC FESTIVAL
Celtic Breakfast
The Celtic Breakfast will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday morning at the University of Dayton Irish Arts Tent on the festival grounds. The “Top of the Morn’n Café” will feature Breakfast Pasti, Celtic Fry, Empire biscuits, coffee, tea and more. The Roving Rogues will be on hand providing musical entertainment.
Group bike ride
Cyclists can ride an eight-mile course with other like-minded outdoor enthusiasts on the first day of the festival — Friday, July 30.
The free ride will begin at 6 p.m. in the Dayton Career Academy parking lot at 441 River Corridor Drive, just off Webster Street.
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