Pics from A Celebration of Celts (upstate NY)

[Galician]

I do remember that the band mentioned did play at the CoC last year.

[Finn]

Great pics!
Poor wife!

[Julie Hahnke]

The pipe band in question is Oran Mor, a grade one band from Troy, NY. I don't see P/M Donald Lindsay in the photo, but on the far right is P/S Andrew Douglas. There were several bands there and the Piping Out of the Box competition was a neat twist on a piping competition.

It's unfortunate the weather was so lousy, because it really was a great event. Kicked off with a romping ceilidh on Friday night at a local Welsh pub, there was always something going on throughout the weekend. Reenactors, jousts, the horses, outstanding traditional music, rock (too loud for me, and I'm a piper!), atheletics, storytelling, and authors (me!)

I've been to all the Highland games in New England, and most of the big ones on the east coast, and the Celebration of Celts was similar, but clearly with its own character. How could it not be outstanding - to meet Anne and her dedicated crew, you can't help but feel (and share) their passion for this event. Well done, Anne!

Julie Hahnke

[elrond]

Nice pics, Jay.
thank you!!

don't believe Mael, summer in Scotland it is not so hot... LOL!!

[Anne Macpherson]

To all who attended and to the good looking laddie in the great kilt. Just a couple of things: One we are the largest Pan-Celtic event in the N.E. but this year we were killed by the weather and the economy. Last year by contrast we had over 14,000, so not such a small event. We had three pipe bands including the great grade one Oran Mor who won the Piping Outside the Box event, a recording of this "out of the box" competition will be available by Mid-Summer on our website www.celebrationofcelts.com and the 2007 recording featuring Oran Mor, The Schenectady Pipes and Drums and the fabulous Pipes and Drums of the Waterbury Police really let their hair down with some great music that you will hear no where else. Sorry about the lack of hagggis, bridies and meat pies, the vendor's truck broke down. Darn! We will be posting more pictures including shots of the North American Wild Stripped Haggis and her pups, called haggles. In fact the term haggle comes from the fact that the brownies and the fairies used the Celtic Haggis as a beast of burden, they would use the pups for barter and argue over the number of pups to buy a great Celtic Haggis, ultimately they called this haggeling after the haggles The Horses of Epona were a big treat. I lead the Parade of Celts riding bareback on one of the Gypsy Horses, what great animals and I had never seen any before, they are beautiful., Jousting was great as well.

So, given the bad weather, Celebration of Celts is struggling to stay alive as a 501 ( c ) 3 with this year's attendence down 70% over last year. If any of you would like to become a friend of Celebration of Celts with discount ticket admission, we need your help if we are going to continue. We are a small volunteer group, that puts on a pretty good event..but my husband, President John Macpherson, KTJ and myself Dame Anne Macpherson, DKJ can no longer afford to support the event. We need volunteers and contributions. All donations are tax deductable. If you would like to help you can send checks made out to Celts Celebrate, 5564 Rts. 9H& 23, Hudson, New York 12534. I thank you all for caring and we will be hosting serveral events during the year. We are hoping to have several The Glenlivet Whiskey Seminars, one in Albany and one of riverboat out of Kingston, NY during the summer, we are trying to pull together another Horses of Epona to be announced for the summer and our RiverFire Ancient Fire Festival, Saturday, Nov 1st the old Celtic New Year at Bridgewater Grill in Kingston, New York, its a great and authentic ceremony complete with burning Strawman. So my fellow Scots, Slainte and have a great summer. Stay tuned. Annie Macpherson

[Alan H]

The horses are wonderful!

Looks like a really nice day, even if it was cold and colder.

[JRB]

I wish I could help you out, Anne. Unfortunately, I lost my job last month and money will be tight until I find new employment. I hope A Celebration Of Celts continues on. It's definitely a unique event and has always been a lot of fun.