Clans and fans of Celtic culture will gather at the 11th Annual Sedalia Celtic Festival on Saturday, April 25, 2009, to celebrate music, dance, language and food of the Irish, Scottish and Welsh cultures.The outdoor festival is open from 10 am to 8 pm and is held rain or shine. Admission is $10 per person.No charge for children under 12 or for parking. Featherfield Farms of Bedford Virginia, is the major event sponsor. Attendance at the 2008 festival was over 1400.The feature artist is Enter the Haggis, one of the hardest working and most prolific bands in Celtic music today. Generating seven CDs over their ten year career, the band has made waves in the genre, landing high Billboard and iTunes World Music chart positions as well as major television appearances on shows like Live With Regis And Kelly, A&E Breakfast With the Arts and PBS’ popular program Out of Ireland. It’s the kind of overall sound and devotion package that has created not only die-hard fans, but “Haggis Heads” that follow the band from gig to gig. Performances are scheduled for 1:00, 4:00, and 7:00 p.m. Sound bytes are available and phone interviews with the group can be arranged.Sedalia will also introduce their new “Hometown Pipe Band” this year: Virginia Highland Pipes & Drums will perform traditional military-style pipe music, marching through the festival grounds before each performance. They will play at noon, 2:30, and 5:30.High-Energy, Educational And A Visual Delight Festival attendees can participate indoors in Gaelic language and arts workshops, Celtic Fusion Bellydance lessons, and tutored Scotch Whisky tastings. Authentic Celtic foods will be served, as well as Celtic styled beers. Other attractions include the region’s only Women’s Highland Athletics competition, Sheepdog demos, dozens of vendors, tastings by local wineries, and a comfortable, relaxed family atmosphere with easy access to facilities. Returning to the festival is the ever-popular Living Chess game for children and adults alike. Costumed as human chess pieces, the participants will interact in a mind-challenging chess competition with moves directed by their peers. Children can also learn archery and do clay crafts. “Sir Black Wolf,” of the Medieval Fantasies Company, provides dozens of games and contests for children, as well as an authentic historical encampment to explore.
Interested in being a vendor?
Craft (and Single-item Food) Vendors: $55 per 12'x12' site. Limited number of sites with electricity are available for an additional $10 charge. Download an application here
Food Vendors: $125 per site, with optional electrical hook-up $25 additional. Proof of Liability Insurance with Sedalia Center named as co-insured for the event required. Download an application here
