Dayton Celtic Fest adds more Irish flavor this year

Reasons to go to this weekend’s festival at RiverScape MetroPark.

Credit: DaytonDailyNews

Irish music is always the big draw at the Dayton Celtic Festival. However, the event — presented by United Irish of Dayton at RiverScape MetroPark, Friday through Sunday, July 26-28 — continues to expand its other offerings.

The free festival features workshops, vendors, food, beer, children’s activities and Sunday Mass. Returning favorites include the Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey tastings at 5 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday and the Celtic breakfast from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday. Special guests include authors Cindy Thomson and Terence O’Leary and storyteller Cathy Jo Smith.

>> PHOTOS: Dayton Celtic Festival 2018

New to the festival this year are the Irish Music Sessions. Join Irish musicians of all skill levels and join in jigs, reels and the energy that comes with a community music session. Instruments will be provided, but you can also bring your own. You may even get the opportunity to jam with some of your favorite artists and headliners.

>> What to know about road closings, parking and shuttles before you head to Dayton Celtic Festival

Celtic music and dance, beer and food are the stars of one of Dayton's signature festivals of summer. Here are scenes from Dayton Celtic Festival 2017 on Sunday, July 30, 2017. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS BY E.L. HUBBARD

Credit: E.L. HUBBARD

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Credit: E.L. HUBBARD

Many cultural demonstrations, presenters and workshops will be available, including Baking with Bill Evans of Evans Bakery, Five Points Cloggers and Introduction to Irish Music.

The kids can also experience and enjoy the Celtic experience with the Rainbow’s End Children’s Area. Games, picture boards, Celtic crafts and more will be available for the wee ones. The area is open on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

>> The best things to eat and drink at Dayton Celtic Fest this weekend

Headliners such as Gaelic Storm (pictured) and Scythian return to Dayton Celtic Festival at RiverScape MetroPark in Dayton, Friday through Sunday, July 27 through 29, where the festival regulars will share the stage with first-time acts, Heron Valley and Rory Makem. CONTRIBUTED

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THE MUSIC

This year’s lineup includes the festival debut of Irish five-piece band Cuig, and Doolin’ will bring Irish music with a French touch as another festival first. Returning headliners include Gaelic Storm, Scythian, Socks in the Frying Pan, the Fitzgeralds and Rory Makem. The festival also features local talent such as Dulahan, Father Son and Friends, the Drowsy Lads and Jameson’s Folly.

>> 25 AMAZING festivals every Daytonian should experience

Socks in the Frying Pan, from County Clare on the West Coast of Ireland, is among the headliners performing at the Dayton Celtic Festival at RiverScape MetroPark in Dayton Friday through Sunday, July 28 through 30. CONTRIBUTED

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Dayton Celtic Fest faves Scythian, (left to right) Larissa Fedoryka, Danylo Fedoryka, Alexander Fedoryka, Nolan Ladewski and Fritz McGirr, returns to town for concerts at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Dayton on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23 and 24. CONTRIBUTED

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THE ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

Friday

United Irish of Dayton Stage 

• Doolin’ (France): 6:00 PM – 7:10 PM

• Gaelic Storm: 7:40 PM – 9:10 PM

• Scythian: 9:40 PM – 11:00 PM

WDTN Traditional Stage 

• Wild Rumpus: 6:00 PM – 6:50 PM

• The Drowsy Lads: 7:10 PM – 8:10 PM

• The Fitzgeralds (Canada): 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM

• Socks in the Frying Pan (Ireland): 9:50 PM – 11:00 PM

Murphy’s Irish Stout Stage 

• Celtic Academy of Irish Dance: 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM

• McGovern Irish Dance: 6:50 PM – 7:20 PM

• Dwyer School of Irish Dance: 7:40 PM – 8:10 PM

• Father, Son and Friends: 8:30 PM – 9:20 PM

• Cuig (Ireland): 9:50 PM – 11:00 PM

Key-Ads Pub Stage 

• Fin Tan: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

• Rory Makem: 7:20 PM – 8:20 PM

• Dulahan: 8:40 PM – 9:40 PM

• Sons O'Blarney: 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM

Saturday

United Irish of Dayton Stage 

• The Fitzgeralds (Canada): 12:00 PM – 1:10 PM

• Doolin’ (France): 1:40 PM – 2:50 PM

• Scythian: 3:10 PM – 4:10 PM *

• Cuig (Ireland): 4:30 PM – 5:40 PM *

• Socks in the Frying Pan (Ireland): 6:00 PM – 7:20 PM

• Scythian: 7:40 PM – 9:00 PM

• Gaelic Storm: 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM

WDTN Traditional Stage 

• The Roving Rogues: 12:00 PM – 1:20 PM

• Wild Rumpus: 1:50 PM – 3:10 PM

• Irish Ceili with Éamonn de Cógáin: 3:40 PM – 5:00 PM

• The Drowsy Lads: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM *

• The Fitzgeralds (Canada): 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

• Socks in the Frying Pan (Ireland): 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM *

Murphy’s Irish Stout Stage 

• Celtic Academy of Irish Dance: 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

• Dwyer School of Irish Dance: 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM

• Celtic Academy of Irish Dance - Adults: 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM

• McGovern Irish Dance :3:00 PM – 3:30 PM

• Celtic Academy of Irish Dance: 4:00 PM – 4:30 PM

• Miami Valley Pipes and Drums: 4:50 PM – 5:20 PM

• Mary's Lane: 5:40 PM – 7:00 PM

• Doolin’ (France): 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM

• Cuig (Ireland): 9:30 PM – 11:00 PM

Key Ads Pub Stage 

• Jameson's Folly: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

• Miami Valley Pipes & Drums: 1:20 PM – 1:50 PM

• Rory Makem*: 2:10 PM – 3:10 PM

• The Rice Brothers: 3:40 PM – 4:34 PM

• Sons O'Blarney*: 5:10 PM – 6:10 PM

• Rory Makem*: 6:40 PM – 8:00 PM

• Father, Son & Friends: 8:30 PM – 9:20 PM

• Dulahan: 9:50 PM – 11:00 PM

* ASL interpretation 

Chase Cultural Workshop Tent 

• Songwriters of Our Time - Mai Hernon: 12:30 PM

• Intro to Irish Whistle Workshop - Riley School of Irish Music: 1:30 PM

• Irish Soda Bread Demonstration - Evans Bakery: 2:30 PM

• Intro to Irish Music - The Drowsy Lads: 3:30 PM

• Intro to the Uillean Pipes - Michael Vignoles: 4:30 PM

• Genealogy Tips - Dayton Metro Library: 5:30 PM

• Parade of Kilts: Start 6:30 PM

• Clogging & the Irish Influence on American Appalachian Culture - Five Point Cloggers: 6:30 PM

• Storytelling: Tales of Fear and Fright - Cathy Smith: 7:30 PM

Westendorf Printing Cultural Workshop Tent 

• The Potato Famine & the Coming of the Irish to America - Terence O’Leary: 12:00 PM

• The Irish War of Independence & the Ordinary Irish - David McDonnell: 1:00 PM

• Cuchulainn, Warrior of Ulster with Cathy Smith: 2:00 PM

• Tips for Uncovering & Writing the Stories of Your Celtic Ancestors - Cindy Thompson: 3:00 PM

• Maggie Delaney & the Story of an Indentured Servant: 4:00 PM

• Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey Tasting (ticketed event): 5:00 PM

• Irish Wolfhounds in Legends & Lore: 6:00 PM

• Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey Tasting (ticketed event): 7:00 PM

Sunday

United Irish of Dayton Stage 

• Irish Gaelic Mass: 10:00 AM – 11:20 AM *

• Dulahan: 12:00 PM – 12:50 PM *

• Doolin’ (France): 1:10 PM – 2:20 PM

• Scythian: 2:40 PM – 4:00 PM *

• Gaelic Storm: 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM *

WDTN Traditional Stage 

• The Roving Rogues: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

• The Drowsy Lads: 1:20 PM – 2:30 PM

• The Fitzgeralds (Canada): 2:50 PM – 4:10 PM

• Socks in the Frying Pan (Ireland): 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM

Murphy’s Irish Stout Stage 

• Dwyer School of Irish Dance: 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM

• McGovern Irish Dance: 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM

• Celtic Academy of Irish Dance: 2:00 PM – 2:30 PM

• Cuig (Ireland): 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

• Mary's Lane: 4:50 PM – 6:00 PM

Key Ads Pub Stage 

• Miami Valley Pipes and Drums: 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM

• The Rice Brothers: 1:10 PM – 2:10 PM

• Rory Makem: 2:30 PM – 3:50 PM

• Father, Son and Friends: 4:20 PM – 5:30 PM

* ASL interpretation 

Chase Cultural Workshop Tent 

• Parade of Kilts: Start 11:30 AM

• Intro to Bodhrán - Michael Vignoles: 11:30 AM

• Genealogy Tips - Dayton Metro Library: 12:30 PM

• Intro to Irish Fiddle - Riley School of Irish Music: 1:30 PM

• Two Hand Dances of Ireland - Mai Hernon: 2:30 PM

• Intro to Irish Music - The Drowsy Lads & Socks in the Frying Pan: 3:30 PM

Westendorf Printing Cultural Workshop Tent 

• Irish Soda Bread Demonstration - Evans Bakery: 11:00 AM

• Celtic Song - Cindy Thomson: 12:00 PM

• The Potato Famine & the Coming of the Irish to America - Terence O’Leary: 1:00 PM

• Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey Tasting (ticketed event): 2:00 PM

• An Hour of Irish Storytelling - David McDonnell: 3:00 PM

• Irish Wolfhounds in Legends & Lore: 4:00 PM

WANT TO GO?

What: United Irish of Dayton presents Dayton Celtic Festival with Gaelic Storm, Scythian, Socks in the Frying Pan, the Fitzgeralds, Rory Makem and others

Where: RiverScape MetroPark, 111 E. Monument Ave., Dayton

When: 5:30 to 11 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 26 through 28

Cost: Free

More info: 937-372-9788 | www.daytoncelticfestival.com

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