Fall may be in the air, but there will be “Craic” and “Gaire” aplenty coming from the fairgrounds in Canby this September.
Pack your kilts, gather your clan, and dance the night away at the inaugural Oregon Celtic Festival Sept. 13-15 (Friday through Sunday) at the Clackamas County fairgrounds in Canby.
Wandering in Time Productions and the Washington Renaissance Arts & Education Society, the team behind the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire and the Oregon Renaissance Faire in June in Canby, have released the lineup for Oregon Celtic Festival 2024.
"We are thrilled to feature an extraordinary lineup of Celtic musicians from around the world, ranging across the spectrum of genres and giving us a glimpse into both the traditional and contemporary sounds of modern Celtic music,” said festival founder David Day. “From rock to pop, jam, bluegrass, and even electronic influences, there is something for all musical tastes at the Oregon Celtic Festival."
The festival had been in the planning stages before the pandemic, and organizers felt that now the time is right to introduce a new festival to the local scene.
“We can't wait to welcome everyone to the inaugural Oregon Celtic Festival,” said festival founder Tracy Nietupski. “Prepare for an unforgettable weekend brimming with enchanting music, spirited dance, and delectable food and drink. Tap your toes, lift a glass, and revel with us at the Pacific Northwest's premiere Celtic music celebration.”
In addition to the music, guests can visit the "Fairy Realm," home to children's events and activities designed to be an experience for kids and kids-at-heart. Hosted by the Wyldewood Fae, it is the domain of costumed fairies and many magical experiences, including bubbles, crafting, songs, games, storytelling, and more.
But wait, there’s more. A bustling marketplace filled with merchant and artisan vendors will showcase their unique crafts and wares, while a diverse selection of food vendors will offer Celtic fare and modern treats.
And like the Oregon Renaissance Festival, the Oregon Celtic Festival encourages camping on-site in classic West Coast festival style, with tent and RV options available.
For more information about the festival, go to www.orcelticfest.com. To purchase tickets, go to orcelticfest.com/ticket-info/.
For Celtic music and culture fans ages 21+, the festival will offer an add-on experience - the "Bard's Tour of Whiskey" tasting event. A connoisseur will guide guests through a collection of global whiskeys, and all participants will receive a commemorative whiskey glass and light snacks to accompany the tasting.
For more information go to orcelticfest.com.
Tickets for this event are available at orcelticfest.com/ticket-info/.
Music will bring the Celtic magic
The Oregon Celtic Festival has, at its core, a passion to share Celtic culture through that the music of that culture.
To that end, the OCF has crafted a lineup of musical guests that will offer plenty of entertainment for attendees.
Here’s a look at the event’s headliners:
The Elders remain one of the top Celtic-rock bands in the U.S. after 26 years because of their timeless sound. Their passion, great melodies, unique harmonies, unparalleled musicianship, and strong songwriting keep them connected.
Known for their unique storytelling, full of love, loyalty, and Irish feistiness, their ability to bring together elements both musically progressive and rooted in tradition has won them a broad international fanbase and critical acclaim.
Screaming Orphans is a chart-topping all-sister Celtic folk and pop band from Donegal, Ireland. They are known worldwide for their award-winning sound, which combines original pop songs with a unique take on traditional Irish music.
From an early age, the Diver sisters entertained international audiences around Ireland, accompanying their mother, legendary céilí singer Kathleen Fitzgerald. The sisters’ trademark spine-tingling four-part harmony, instrumental mastery, and highly energized performances take audiences on an exhilarating and emotional musical journey.
Alasdair Fraser is "the Michael Jordan of Scottish fiddling" with a concert and recording career spanning 30+ years, a long list of awards and accolades, including induction into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, radio and television credits, and feature performances on top movie soundtracks including Titanic.
He will take the stage with many Friends at this year’s festival, including his son, Galen Fraser, who is also on this year’s lineup as one half of San Miguel Fraser - a dynamic duo that combines dynamic fiddling and string arrangements with the soaring, life-celebrating singing of the other half of the duo - Maria San Miguel.
Tempest is celebrating 36 years of Celtic Rock. Formed in 1988, they deliver a globally renowned hybrid of high-energy Folk Rock, fusing Irish reels, Scottish ballads, Norwegian influences, and other world music elements.
Wake the Dead is a romp that flows seamlessly from rock grooves to hot Irish reels and from haunting airs to achingly beautiful melodies familiar to Deadheads everywhere.
Seven of the best-known and most respected players in the West come together to create jams that keep the tie-dye swirling and vocal harmonies that float like clouds. These are worlds meshing, coalescing ¬ creating a whole new realm of possibility, true to the spirits of the Grateful Dead and the eternally hopeful Celts.
Other performing artists continue the who’s who of the top Celtic acts touring today, including Reverie Road, The Jeremiahs, TRÚ, Hanneke Cassel Trio, Colin Cotter & Sumaia Jackson, Elias Alexander, Adams, Martin & Linahon, Tradmill, and The Unipiper.
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