Kilts, capes, faeries, and fun, oh my.
The inaugural Oregon Celtic Festival at the fairgrounds in Canby (Sept. 13-15) had plenty of all four, and offered something a little different in this neck of the woods.
And that difference brought out those who love the Celtic vibe, as well as those merely curious about what it’s all about.
“I don’t know a ton about Celtic culture, but when I saw this was coming, I thought that it would be interesting and entertaining – and I was right,” said Adam Wellman, who calls the Canby area home. “It’s the first time, so I think it’s going to grow. Having it on Oktoberfest weekend probably wasn’t the best, but I think it’s something that will appeal to people if we all give it a chance. I really do like the music so much, which surprised me.”
The Oregon Celtic Festival, put on by the same group that has seen the Oregon Renaissance Faire flourish in Canby, had been talking about a Celtic-themed event before the pandemic. In the aftermath of the pandemic, the seeds were sown to get this new festival off the ground. From Sept. 13-15, the flowering of those seeds bloomed for folks to see.
“This is going to be a good thing for the area if it is allowed to grow and find its place,” said Wilsonville’s Chelle Mickelson. “I couldn’t wait to check it out. I’d like to have seen more folks here, but good things take time to grow sometimes, and I think this is going to be a good thing.”
And that’s the plan for organizers, to grow the event. The first effort demonstrated there was a place for the Oregon Celtic Festival in this area.
“The inaugural Oregon Celtic Festival was a wonderful celebration of music, culture, and community, and while attendance was slightly lower than anticipated, we were thrilled with the incredible connections we made and the foundation we laid,” said Kristin Maher, spokesperson for the event. “Plus, it was one heck of a party with some of the best Celtic musicians from around the world.
“We learned a great deal about the vibrant event landscape in the region and forged meaningful relationships with local community members and cultural organizations that will be invaluable as we grow and strengthen the festival for the years to come,” Maher added. “We couldn’t be more grateful for the organizations that came out to support us in our inaugural year. One of the highlights of the weekend was seeing the joy on the faces of our youngest attendees as they frolicked with the fairies, listened to enchanting tales during Celtic story time, and tried their hands at archery and axe throwing. We’re excited to expand these onsite attractions for both adults and children next year. While we can’t reveal the exact details yet, we’re already planning to bring even more magic, education and adventure to the 2025 festival.”
The initial reaction to the festival’s arrival offered an optimistic vibe for what will come next.
“It was inspiring to see so many people come together to celebrate Celtic heritage in Oregon,” said Tracy Nietupski, of Wandering In Time Productions, the organizers of the festival. “The energy and passion from our attendees, artists, volunteers and local community have left us more excited than ever for what the future holds.”
Maher confirmed that the Oregon Celtic Festival will return next fall to Canby, with the goal being to continue to develop the festival experience while maintaining a strong focus on community engagement and cultural appreciation through music.
“We also want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of the incredible participants who contributed their talents to make this year’s festival a success,” Maher said. “It wouldn’t have been possible without their dedication and creativity — which is a true reflection of Celtic culture – community. We are looking forward to contributing to the local economy by providing a driver of tourism to the area that will support more artisans, small businesses and hospitality as the festival grows.”
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