Well it is another year and time to start planning for the 2016 Almonte Celt Fest. It is going to prove to be another exciting year of music, dance and festival fun.
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Author Archives: Liam the Leprachaun
Wanted – Festival Assistant
Looking for a great job with Almonte Celtfest? If you are currently collecting Employment Insurance, you are eligible! You must apply through Ottawa Festivals, but the place of employment is at the Almonte Old Town Hall. The job is posted for 7 weeks, but should be renewable for an additional 26 – from now through the summer. Share the news!!
Almonte Celtfest Lives! Festival will continue into 2015!
Almonte – A newsletter distributed a week ago indicating the end of Celtfest brought many expressions of support from Cape Breton, to the St Lawrence Seaway, from Ottawa city, Upper New York state, up the valley, and importantly from additional people here in the Almonte business and cultural communities.
A large and enthusiastic crowd gathered at the Almonte Old Town Hall on Monday night, January 12, to voice their concern about the demise of the festival, and step up to volunteer so the popular event could continue. All who have been connected with this event for the past 18 years were recognized and honoured for passionately volunteering tens of thousands of hours to sustaining this event for the past 18 years.
As we enter year 19, we have had a revival of interest, enthusiasm and dedication to the festival, and have identified Jim Morrison as our Festival Chair. Morrison was the Chair of Brockville Celtic Festival for many years, and brings a deep wealth of experience, knowledge and passion to our organization.
Heading the Artistic Committee is David Baril from Almonte, leading a fine team of members. New webmasters Ansley Smith and Brent Eades will keep AlmonteCeltfest.com in fine order, and Stephanie Verk has volunteered to Co-Chair Promotions. Previously identified Chairs Mike McCabe and Nicole Peterson (Financial) and Trish Sawyer (Volunteers) join returning Chairs Gavin Donnelly (Site), and Jane Torrance (Promotions). Many new committee members have volunteered their gifts and talents to make this organizing committee successful, and we thank the new and emerging group who will dedicate their time, energy and commitment to this community, and the love of the music, song, and dance traditions that this event represents.
In-coming Chair Jim Morrison could not be present for the reorganizing meeting, but sent these words:
“Seldom have I seen such a coming together of a Celtic Community to create such an on-going success as the Almonte Celtfest! It will be my privilege and my challenge to work with the new team of leaders to create yet another feast of Celtic Cultures for an ever- expanding audience. The folks of the Valley on both sides of the Ottawa River have a great Celtic home here in Almonte! Slainte!
If you would like to volunteer for the organizing committee, for a particular job leading up to the festival, or during the weekend of Almonte Celtfest, please drop us a line at almonteceltfest@hotmail.com or connect through our facebook page Almonte Celtfest.
We hope to see you at the 19th Almonte Celtfest this summer, July 10, 11 and 12!
For more information contact
Jane Torrance (Promotions) 613-256-3576, almonteceltfest@hotmail.com
Jim Morrison (Chair) 613-680-8360H or 613-323-1483C, saltycelt@hotmail.com
Almonte Celtfest meeting
Monday, January 12th, 7:00pm
Almonte Old Town Hall
Multi-purpose room – 2nd floor
A First Ever St. Andrew’s Day Dinner and Dance
St Andrew’s Day falls on 30 November in Scotland and is a bank holiday, with many organisations enjoying a day off and events taking place across the country to celebrate St Andrews Day in a patriotic fashion. The last few years have seen many more events taking place across the country with a number of Scotland’s historic attractions allowing free admission for the day. More info can be found here or here.
In Almonte, the North Lanark Highland Games and the Almonte Celtfest are partnering (again a first) to present a dinner and dance from 6:00 to midnight on November 29 – we won’t close the doors until November 30! Grab a wee piece of tartan to or a full kilt for attire, and prepare to have a great evening with a Scottish flair.
Tickets must be purchased in advance, and are available from a committee member, at Baker Bobs in Almonte (73 Little Bridge Street) or by emailing us at almonteceltfest@hotmail.com.
CTV Morning Live with Colleen O’Connell and Kyle Felhaver
Apparently Liam is shy!
Check it out on the following news clip from July 3rd where the 18th Annual Almonte Celtfest is announced.
Sunday July 6 – Traditional Fiddle Mass
The fiddle mass begins at 10:30 am at Holy Name of Mary Church; everyone is welcome.
Saturday July 5 – Almonte Celtfest College Workshops
Workshops will allow participants to develop new skills, hone the ones they have or pick up tips that will improve their performance.
Workshops run from 10:30 to 12 noon at Almonte Old Town Hall and cost $20, payable at registration.
Almonte Celtfest is Going Green
Refillable water stations available throughout the park Festival weekend
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2014 Almonte, ON – This year’s Almonte Celtfest is going green. With a commitment to the environment, the Festival wants to play their part reducing waste. With the assistance of Lanark Pure and the Ontario Clean Water Agency, refillable water stations will be available throughout the park. Additionally, to reduce waste RBC’s Blue Water Project has donated 500 refillable water bottles to be distributed over the weekend.
“Almonte Celtfest is a great family event that has come to be well recognized in our community and beyond, we felt it was important for us to take a lead in helping to clean up the environment. The Committee had the idea but it’s really the water sponsors and RBC that helped to make it happen” said Chair Brenda Cain-Kealey.
Almonte Celtfest began in 1997 as a Sunday afternoon event that has grown into one of the top Celtic weekend events in the Country. Its mission is to celebrate and promote the Celtic heritage of the Ottawa Valley, share historical traditions and showcase local performers. Celtfest takes place in the natural amphitheatre of Gemmill Park over the July 4, 5 and 6th, 2014 weekend and remains an admission by donation event. Like us on Facebook at Almonte Celtfest and follow us on twitter @almonteceltfest.
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For further information contact:
Melonie Sibbitt
Marketing and Media Coordinator
almonteceltfest@hotmail.com
http://www.almonteceltfest.com
Pub Night Friday July 4th
Music in the pubs 7:30 pm to 12:30 am
Free Almonte pub shuttle bus 6:30 pm – 1:00 am
Pub passports only $5 available at participating pubs and on the shuttle bus. Redeem for a free beer onsite July 5 or 6 in the beer garden.
Almonte Celtfest 