Summer Celtic Fests Surge in June

Celtic Fests abound in the summer our Rocky Mountain Region. Although New Mexico is always first on the board with their May festival, things kick into high gear in June. Here are some upcoming events of note – make sure you double check “where” the fests will me held as a number of them have had recent a venue change.

Utah Scottish Association presents the Scottish Festival and Highland Games ,June 7-9. The event has a new venue at Utah State Fair Park, 155 North 1000 West, Salt Lake City. The fest
includes representative from 45 clans, national level Scottish & Irish dancing, athletics, pipe bands, heavy military presence. Featured performers includes Men of Worth, Wicked Tinkers, Molly’s Revenge, Teton Skye, Murphy and the Giant, Sionainn Stiubhard, An Dragan Ceilteach Irish Dance. There is a fee for admission, but Active duty military with ID get in free. http://www.utahscots.org/home/4594492017

Cheyenne Celtic Festival and Celtic Bison Classic Highland Games has had a venue change since adding the Highland games. The only event held at the Depot Plaza in downtown will be a free concert, calling of the clans,and strongman event on Friday June 7 from 5:30PM – 8:30PM. The Festival itself with vendors, tents, etc., will be at Lions Park Softball Field (Dunbar Field) Cheyenne, WY, June 8-9, (10 AM – 6PM Saturday and 10AM-4:30PM on Sunday). Bands include Nordic Daughter, Cara Trom, Gobs O’Phun. Admission is Free. www.facebook.com/CelticFestival
Pikes Peak Celtic Festival, June 14-16, has moved from its south side of town venue, north to
Western Museum of Mining & Industry 225 North Gate Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO. They have a rock’in line-up with Red Hot Chili Pipers, Seven Nations, Swagger, McDeviants, Jon Sousa and Adam Agee, Celtic Steps, Rocky Bard, Skean Dubh. There will be pipe bands and dancing of course, as well as clans, athletics, and a whiskey tasting. Definitely check out the Celtic Cooking Demos with Eric McBride, The Celtic Caterer, you’ll learn some and get to sample the food! Adult weekend pass, $30 at the gate, Adult day pass, $20 at the gate; Child weekend pass, $15 at the gate, Child day pass, $10 at the gate. https://pikespeakcelticfestival.com/festival-info/
The Cortez Celtic Fair, June 22, is the outgrowth of Celtic Day held in 2017 during the Montezuma County Fair. The Celtic Fair is larger and more centrally located at the . Parque de Vida. It is a fundraiser to benefit The Pinon Project Family Resource Center, is free to the public, and will have activities for all ages. Entertainment includes Truckely Howe; Nicolas Stoker, Piper; Kitchen Jam Band; Westwind Pipes and Drums, Ga Greine, Top O’ the Mornin’ and Kids area, Celtic Animals, Vendors, Heavy Scottish Athletic and Highland Dance demos, Food, Beer
Free admission. https://www.cortezcelticfair.com/

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Scotts Bluff County to Host Third Annual Celtic Gathering.
After a successful run of two years, Scotts Bluff Celtic Gathering will host its third event June 28-30, 2019 at Five Rocks in Gering. Only a three hour drive from Denver, you can actually camp right next to the festival grounds!
. Returning this year are the Colorado Renaissance Scots re-enactors. The RenScots will be setting up a period pavilion and demonstrating traditional Scottish skills, from blacksmithing to weaving to combat skills. The music line-up includes “the commoners”, the Fort Collins based celtic trad and rock group guaranteed to keep your toes tapping. Saturday night will have an After Hours Party with a performance of those Husker-loving Celtic-Punk rockers, Lincoln’s own “The Killigans”! The after hours party is being hosted by Shots Bar in downtown Scottsbluff. Additions to this year’s lineup include Indigent Row, Once Upon a Tune, and Avourneen!
There will be an interactive Highland Games exhibition, where experienced Highland athletes will instruct participants in the various Heavy Games, such as light and heavy weight for distance, Sheaf Toss, Scottish Hammer Throw and others.
For more information about Scotts Bluff Celtic Gathering, please contact Brenda Leisy
at Scottsbluff County Tourism, 308-633-1808,

Okay, here is a little info on Festivals beyond June that has sent the Celtic Connection info:

In its 58th year, The Colorado Scottish Festival has used a number of venues. They recently moved from Snowmass back to the Denver metro and will at the Citizens Park in Edgewater August 3-4. The grounds just west of Sloans Lake will offer the whole nine including pipe bands, Athletics, Clans, historic re-enactments and more. Are partial list of stage performers include:
Saturday: During the day, the highland dance competition will be at the highland tent.
The Queen City Pipe Band, and the Rocky Mountain Highland Daners will open for Angus Mohr. at the pavilion. Sunday: Will include Loretta Thompson playing Scottish fiddle, and her friends.
The Lilt Collective, with singer Beth Gadbaw, Pete Strickler (banjo), Charlie Branch (guitar), Dirk Mewes (uilleann pipes), and a guest fiddler.Scottish band Skean Dubh the Bennet School of Irish Dance Morris Dancers and more to be announced. www.ScottishGames.org

The Colorado Irish Festival July 12-14, is held on the lovely backside of Clement Park in Littleton. Parking is limited so have a plan before you go. A tasty line-up of performers include: Gaelic Storm, Scythian, The Young Dubliners, JigJam, Avorneen, Chancer’s Hooley, The Commoners, Gobs O’Phun, Grateful Dogs, Indigent Row, Skean Dubh, Juice O’The Barley, The McDeviants, The Stubby Shillelaghs. There will be pipes and drums, Irish dance, and plenty of booths to get info on culture or festival souvenirs. More information at www.coloradoirishfestival.com

“Trad” is King at the Spanish Peaks Celtic Music Festival September 19-22 in La Veta and surrounding area. If you’re into the traditions of music, dance, storytelling this event is for you.
Always some of the best in the world performing , teaching, Demo/Talks, etc. A beautiful part of Colorado with plenty of sessions,endless craic, and magic. A fun and relaxing time for all. Some of the performers/instructors are Kevin Burke, Kevin Crawford, Cillian Valley, Patsy O’Brien, Old Blind Dogs, HighTime, The Conifers, Take Down the Door, and others to be announced www.CelticMusicFest.com
More festival news next month…