The 13th Annual Celtic Fest Chicago returns to Grant Park September 12 & 13 for two days of unique music and entertainment bringing old world charm to Chicago. Leahy and Gaelic Storm will headline the festival, performing at the Petrillo Music Shell. Highlights of the festival include the popular Men in Kilts contest, Art Fair and traditional and contemporary Celtic music and dance. Presented by the City of Chicago and FlyNovaScotia.com, Celtic Fest Chicago is FREE to the public and runs from 12:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The festival celebrates the culture of the seven ancient Celtic nations with performers from Ireland; Brittany, France; Galicia, Spain; Scotland; the Isle of Man; Cornwall; Wales; plus the United States and Canada. Celtic music enfolds a variety of rich cultures, as various geographical areas contribute diverse backgrounds and flavors. Celtic Fest Chicago celebrates this history with music and traditions that date back to 300 B.C.
Leahy performs on the Petrillo Stage on Saturday at 7:30p.m. The popular Celtic group is comprised of eight brothers and sisters who together have released three chart-topping albums selling over a half a million copies. McPeake, straight from Belfast in Northern Ireland, opens for Leahy beginning at 6:00 p.m. Gaelic Storm closes the festival on the Petrillo stage on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Best known for performing in the famous “3rd Class Party” scene in the Oscar®-winning film Titanic, Gaelic Storm has released seven hit records and played for millions world-wide. The show starts at 6:00 p.m. with Pennou Skoulm, from Brittany, France.
Experience the beauty, charm and sounds of Nova Scotia in Chicago! The FlyNovaScotia.com Gathering Tent features the best in Nova Scotia talent, including the 78th Highlanders piper and drummer. Both nights beginning at 6:00 p.m. enjoy the sounds of Caledonia, Shannon and Tony Quinn and the famed guitarist and lyricist Dave Carroll. On Sunday, September 13 Chef Michael Howell will give a cooking demonstration of popular Nova Scotia cuisine.
Ladies, pick your favorite set of legs at the Men in Kilts Contest, back for its 4th year. Brave men will show off their legs in kilts for a contest unlike any other. The contest will take place
Saturday, September 12 at 5:20 p.m. at the Celtic Crossroads stage. All brave lads can enter the day of the contest, beginning at Noon until 4:00 p.m. at the Media Tent located at Columbus and Jackson. Spots are limited; arrive early to sign up!
The Blarney Stop Beer Tent is back on Butler Field, where festival attendees can enjoy bagpipers and view the Scottish Heavy Athletics Competition which will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 2:30p.m. Spectators can also enjoy sheepherding daily on Butler Field at Noon and 2:00 p.m.. Other highlights include The Celtic Fest Art Fair, the Coffee & Tea Garden, Celtic Cultural Tent now featuring the Celtic Storytellers, the Wee Ones Play Area and the Bagpipe Parade daily. New this year is the “Come Back to Erin: Irish Travel Posters of the 20th Century,” presented by the Warm Irish Music Archives in Milwaukee.
Celtic Fest Chicago features seven performance areas of full line-ups of first-class entertainment both days. The Celtic Crossroad stage will showcase some of the most popular Celtic performers all day Saturday and Sunday. The Next Generation Stage will host local Celtic music school performers and the Dance Tent will be jam packed with traditional dance performances all weekend. There will also be a Harp and Uilleann Pipe tent with a full line up daily and from 6-9p.m., everybody is invited to participate in free Celtic dance lessons.
Celtic Fest Chicago is presented by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events and FlyNovaScotia.com and is sponsored in part by Best Buy, Chicago Tribune, Pepsi, CLTV, 104.3 Jack FM, Hinckley Springs, Chicago Transit Authority, Flashcash, Malibu Rum, Miller Lite, Stella Atrois Essex Inn, LaGrou Distribution System, Inc., Communications Direct, Inc. and Alf McConnell & Associates. For more information and a complete schedule call the Mayor’s Office of Special Events at (312) 744-3315 or visit celticfestchicago.us.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Mary May, 312-744-0576
mmay@cityofchicago.org
Cindy Gatziolis, 312-744-0573
cgatziolis@cityofchicago.org