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2007
Sept.
15th & 16th
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7th
Annual Niagara Celtic Heritage
Festival & Highland Games
Holding a festival in autumn, one can never guess
the weather. We do what we can to prepare, and hope for sunny skies.
On our seventh year, society members and volunteers set-up the festival
Friday and Saturday, fighting together against enormous wind gusts and
bitterly cold temperatures. Early Saturday morning, as the festival
grounds were slowly being completed, there was a silent fear that the
weather would scare many away. But by noon those worries disappeared,
as so many of you passed through our newly designed Front Entrance.
The wonderful dedication to our festival by thousands who attend every
year is a truly wonderful blessing, which each member of the society
will never take for granted. There is no way to extend our thanks to
so many who ignored the weather, and joined us to celebrate! By Saturday
evening, the Ceilidh was well underway, and both Penny Whiskey
and The Town Pants thrilled fans and newcomers alike with their
amazing performances. We look forward to them joining us in future festivals!
Early
Sunday morning the wind had died away, and the sun returned. The crowds
kept right on coming, and helped us celebrate one more day of Celtic
heritage. Never before have the cheers from the stands at the Highland
Games actually drowned out performances on the Main Stage! And no one
who stood in the Great Pavilion when Celtic Spirit Pipe Band
took the stage, will ever forget their breathtaking performance. We
thank so many participants who come each year, and bring their own special
surprises.
So
again, we thank all who joined us during our seventh year. There are
many exciting new additions already planned for 2008, and we can't wait
until the third weekend next September to begin this wonderful festival
all over again. And as for the unpredictable fall weather in New York:
rain or shine, wind or even snow...BRING IT ON!
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Something
Things New & Different:
An
expanded Food Court
Character
Search Contest by author Jeanne Treat,
for a sequel to her novel Dark Birthright.
The
Celtic Arts Centre & Stage
More
Historical Demonstrations and Re-enactments
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Highland
Games 2007 Schedule
Competitions
included: Caber Pole Toss, Sheaf Toss, Stone Throw, 56 lb weight
for height, 28 lb. & 56 lb. weight for distance
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Saturday
Pro
Masters Men
Am Masters Men
Women's Demo
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Sunday
Open/
Pro Men
Men's Amateur
Women's Open
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Food
Court
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The
Main Stage
Saturday:
Poor
Ould Goat
Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
The Dustmen
Saturday Evening Ceilidh:
Opened by: Penny Whiskey
Headlined by: The Town Pants
Sunday:
Boughton Hill Band
Clann Na Cara Irish Dancers
McMahon School of Irish Dance
Schiehallion scottish Dancers
Step in Time
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Children's
Area
Arts
& Crafts
Castle
Ring Toss
Dragon
Ball W
Finn MacCool's Horseshoe Toss
Miniature Golf
Mini Highland Games
Potato Relay
Pot O' Gold Toss
St. Andrew's Fishing Hole
Tables for coloring
Welsh Leek Toss
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Pipe
Bands
96th
Highlanders Pipes & Drums of Jamestown
Caledonian
Pipes & Drums of Buffalo
Celtic
Spirit Pipe Band, Inc.
Gordon
Highlanders' Pipe Band
MacKenzie
Highlanders' Pipes and Drums of Niagara Falls
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The
Marketplace
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Backroads
Creations
The
Candleman
w/ Paradise Bay Driftwood Co.
Celtic
Weave
The
Celtic Cottage
Charlie's
Dragon
Egg Productions
Enchanted
Shire
Gray
Dog Toys & Treats
Jennifer
Regan Jewelry
Lady
& the Lake Productions
L
& D Enterprises
Mary
McAndrew
Fine Art
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Metal
Lynx
Niagara
Celtic Souvenirs
Norah's
Heritage Gift Shoppe
Orleans
Dulcimers
PJ
Knives & Supplies
Serendipity
Creations
Soldier
Boy Miniatures
Something
Else Studio
The
King's Purse
The
Travel Team Inc.
Unique
Gifts
Valley
of Field Herbals
W
inc. Jewelry
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Town
Commons
Ancient
Order of Hibernians
Black
Face Scottish Sheep from Gow Farm
Chain
Maile Demonstrations by Metal
Lynx
Dog
Demonstrations of Flyball & Agility by Greggs
Franklin
LaVoie: Tree Man
Greater
Niagara Newspapers
Habitat
for Humanity: Newfane Initiative
Ladies
Ancient Order of Hibernians
MacFarlane's
Company
Newfane
High School Field Hockey
Niagara
Celtic Heritage Society
Niagara
County Genealogical Society
Pony
Rides by Spirit Wind Farm,
and Lakeview Animal Sanctuary
The
Sylvan Kingdom of Aethelmearc (SCA)
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Clan
Row
Clan
Blair
Clan Grant
Clan Gunn
Clan Keith
Clan MacFarlane
Clan Morrison
Clan Turnbull
Rochester Scottish Heritage
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Celtic
Arts Centre & Stage
Cairde
Mary Lester
Merry Mischief
Reardon & Garvey
Tim Daly- Seanachie
Seamus
McMahon-Aauthor
Swallow Tail Trio
Sessions (Open music jam)
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2006
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6th Annual Niagara Celtic Heritage
Festival & Highland Games
In 2001, the Niagara Celtic Heritage Society undertook
their dream that Historic Olcott Beach would be the perfect location
to host a Celtic festival. One where everyone around the globe could
join together in the various Celtic traditions and celebrate this wonderful
heritage. But each year as we worked countless hours to prepare for
the big fall weekend, we all couldn't help but quietly wonder, was it
a possibility or just a dream? Would others want to celebrate at a local
Celtic festival as much as our members? It was in this, our sixth year
that you (attendees & participants) answered back with a resounding
YES! We deeply wish to thank everyone for the wonderful success that
Niagara Celtic found this year, with a special THANK YOU to our volunteers.
Many of our volunteers worked all day with few or no breaks just to
help keep everything in order. We couldn't have done it all without
you!
Preparations are already underway for our seventh festival,
and we look forward to seeing you all back in Krull Park in September!
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Many
NEW 2006 additions! (just a few here)
Expanded
Children's Area & Activities
The
Festival Grounds almost doubled!
More
Historical Demonstrations and Re-enactments!
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The
party continued down the street at Lighthouse
Grill-N-Spirits
with live Celtic music,
including Busted Stuff (Friday)
and Gregg Sansone (Saturday)!
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Food
Court
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Niagara
Celtic Beer Tent
Flyway
Farm
Franklin's
Kettle Korn
The
inFamous Welsh Cookie Company
LAOH
Tea Tent
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Mad
Dog's Mini Mart
Beverage Tent
Mrs.
Coffee
Phat
Dog Concessions
Sandee's Bakery
Sonntagg Concessions
Tammy
Kish's Scottish Foods
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The
Main Stage
Boughton
Hill
Cairde
IAD FEIN:
Song and Story
McCarthy School of Irish Dance
McMahon School of Irish Dance
Penny
Whiskey
Royal
Scottish Country Dance Society
Schiehallion Scottish Dancers
The Dustmen
Tom
Callahan w/ Sheila Stratton-Peel
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Children's
Area
Character
Photo Peepholes
Craft
Tables
Fishing
Castle Ring Toss
Games
Miniature Golf
Mini Highland Games
Wee Ones' Daily Parades
Special Guests:
Chatterbox the Clown
Magician Sal
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Pipe
Bands
Caledonian
Pipes & Drums of Buffalo
Celtic
Spirit
Gordon
Highlanders
MacKenzie
Highlanders
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Town
Commons
Clan
Blair
Clan Grant
Clan Gunn
Clan Keith
Clan MacFarlane
Clan Morrison
Clan Turnbull
Rochester Scottish Heritage
Ancient Order of Hibernians
Chain
Maile Demonstrations by Metal
Lynx
Company H 49th NYS Regiment
Dog Demonstrations of Flyball & Agility by Greggs
Erie Canal Discovery Center
Greater Niagara Newspapers
Habitat for Humanity
Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians
Lockport
Athletics & Fitness Club
MacFarlane's
Company
Newfane
High School Field Hockey
Niagara
Celtic Heritage Society
Niagara
County Historical Society
Pony Rides by Spirit Wind Farm
SCA
WLVL-1340AM
The
Culture Tent:
Tim
Daly- Seanachie
Seamus
McMahon-Aauthor
Reardon & Garvey-Music
Step in Time-Music
Dr. Jim Ward-Stories & Readings
Sheila Stratton-Peel-Scottish Genealogy
Diana Straube-Irish Genealogy
Sessions (Open music jam)
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2005
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5th Annual Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival
& Highland Games
Our fifth year marked our
5th Annual Festival, and with that came
many surprises, including some we didn't plan! The Ceilidh was quite
a spectacle, with the birthday cake and glow necklaces only adding to
the enormous bonfire and wonderful music. The weekend's sunny weather
also helped make our festival truly memorable. After five amazing years
seeing this festival grow, we sent a thanks and wish to all with our
2005 blessing: 'May the dreams you hold dearest, be those which come
true.'
NEW
to 2005: (just
a few)
Ceilidh Bonfires beginning noon Saturday
Culture Tent
Schiehallion Scottish Dancers
Treasure Hunt w/ prizes |
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Food
Court
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The
Main Stage
Boughton
Hill Band
Buffalo
Irish Arts Society
CnE
Ceile Band
The
Dustmen
IAD
FEIN
Song and Story
McCarthy
School of Irish Dance
Penny
Whiskey
Schiehallion
Scottish Dancers
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Children's
Area
Character
Peepholes for Photo Ops
Craft
Tables
Fishing
Castle Bounce House
Games
Miniature Golf
Mini Highland Games w/ The popular Sheep Toss!
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Pipe
Bands
Braemar
Caledonian
Pipes & Drums of Buffalo
Celtic
Spirit
Gordon
Highlanders
MacKenzie
Highlanders
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The
Marketplace
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Carol's
Costumes
The
Celtic Cottage
Celtic
Cow
Charlie's
Enchanted
Shire
Full
Moon Works
Gray
Dog Toys & Treats
Jennifer Regan Jewelry
King's
Collectibles
L
& D Enterprises
Mary
McAndrew
artist
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McNerney
Irish Imports
Metal
Lynx
Mithra's
Shield Co.
Norah's
Heritage Gift Shoppe
Orleans
Dulcimers
PJ
Knives & Supplies
The
Soap Rack
Soldier
Boy Miniatures
Souvenirs
from
Niagara Celtic
The
Travel Team Inc.
Unique
Gifts |
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Town
Commons
Clan
Blair
Clan MacFarlane
Chain
Maile Demonstrations by
Metal
Lynx
Dog
Demonstrations of Flyball & Agility by Greggs
Habitat
for Humanity
Ladies
Ancient Order of Hibernians
Lockport
Athletics & Fitness Club
MacFarlane's
Company
Newfane
High School Field Hockey
Niagara
Celtic Heritage Society
Niagara
County Historian
Christine Derby
Olcott
Beach Carousel Park Committee
The
Culture Tent:
Tim
Daly- Seanachie
Dr.
Jim Ward
Margaret McGrath
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2003
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2003 Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games
Our 2003 festival was our most successful
yet! We send thanks to the many entertainers, volunteers, vendors, athletes,
NCHS members, and visitors who celebrated the magic and excitement of
Celtic Heritage. We chose this year's theme to be family entertainment,
and we worked hard to entertain all the guests who entered our gates.
Congratulate yourself for helping this wonderful festival in its third
year, and for those who remember, thank the sky for holding off the
rainstorms
until after Sunday's closing ceremonies!
NEW
additions in 2003:
Cannon and Gunfire Demos off the shores of Lake Ontario
Clan Wolfe (Showcasing Historical Reenactors
throughout the entire festival!)
Learn how to create Chain Maile
Hunter's Hope Foundation
Henna Painting
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Pro-Athletes
Saturday
Full set of Highland Games BOTH days!
New lower admission
charge~only $5.00!
Corned Beef & Cabbage
Bangers & Mash
Win a Claymore Sword!
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Main
Stage
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Food
Court & Marketplace
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Town
Commons
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The
Dady Brothers
The
Colleens with Cormier
Seanache
Buffalo
Irish Arts Society Musicians with The Innisfree Dancers
Rochez
Academy of Irish Dance
McCarthy
School of Irish Dance
Woodgate
School of Irish Dance
Rince
Na Tiarna
School of Irish Dance
Last
Minute
Massed
Pipe Band &
Pipe Band exhibitions from:
Celtic Spirit
Gordon Highlanders
Opening
& Closing Ceremonies w/Pipe Band Parade
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Mariner's
Landing Restaurant
Tammy's
Scottish Foods
Connie's
Restaurant
LAOH
Tea Tent
Clarendon
Cheesecake
Franklin's
Honey & Apples
Stone
Thistle Ltd.
The
inFamous Welsh Cookie Company
L
& D Enterprises
Olcott
Jr. Firefighters
L
& D Enterprises
PJ
Knives & Supplies
Orleans
Dulcimers- Great Lakes Craft
Henderson
Arms
Unique
Gifts
Knotty
by Nature
Soldier
Boy Miniatures
P
& J Enterprises
The
Enchanted Shire
Metal
Lynx
Kafana's
Irish Food
Crafts
& Costumes
Historical
Research Center
Norah's
Irish Imports
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Host
Clan: MacFarlane
Clan
Grant
Clan
Wolfe
MacFarlane's
Company
Middleport
Rod & Gun Club
Niagara
Celtic Heritage Society
Sanborn
Historical Society
Niagara-Orleans
4-H Club with kids' activities
Highland
Competition
Clan
Wolfe Reenactors
Buffalo
Irish Arts Society
Hunter's
Hope Foundation
Chain
Maile Demos & Henna Painting
Black
Face Sheep Exhibit
Ladies
Ancient Order of the Hibernians
Olcott
Junior Firefighters
Lockport
Athletics Club
Newfane
Sports Boosters
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2002
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2002 Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games
The NCHS sends many thanks
to the over 1,500 people who visited us at our 2002 festival, held for
the first time at Krull Park. Our attendance more than doubled in size
from our first festival, and we can only hope to do the same every year
in the future!
2002
schedule included:
Highland Games
Caber Pole Toss Championship
Swordfighting demonstration
Junior Highland Games w/ children's activities
Saturday Night Ceilidh
Visiting Clan Tents
2 days of shows/performances |
Scottish
and Irish Dancing
Storytelling
Lockport Rugby Demos
Celtic Food and Vendors
Bus Tours of Olcott Beach
Tours to Murphy Orchards |
| Main
Stage
Kilbrannan
The
Dady Brothers
The
Colleens
Seanache
The
Keefer Brothers
Reardon
& Garvey
Nightingael
Royal
Scottish Dancers
Innisfree
Dancers & Comhaltas Ceoltori Musicians
Rochez
Academy of Irish Dance
Massed
Pipe Band
Pipe
Band concerts:
Celtic Spirit
Braemar
Faedan Or
Gordon Highlanders
Opening
& Closing Ceremonies
w/Pipe Band Parade
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Food
Court & Marketplace
Mariner's
Landing Restaurant
Harbor
Resort Restaurant
LAOH
Teat Tent
Clarendon
Cheesecake
Franklin
Kettle Corn
Olcott
Jr. Firefighters
The
inFamous Welsh Cookie Company
L
& D Enterprises
PJ
Knives & Supplies
Earth
Walk Enterprises
Celtic
Cottage
El
Buen Amigo
P
& J Enterprises
Weeping
Willow Designs
Enchanted
Shire
Soldier
Boy Miniatures
Stone
Thistle
Norah's
Gifts
Horoscope
Teller
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Town
Commons
MacFarlane
History Troupe
Whisper-n-Wind
Farm
Niagara
Celtic Heritage Society
Pony
Rides
Scottish
Black Faced Sheep
Highland
Competition
North
American Caber Pole Toss Championship
Medieval
Fencing Demo & Display
Sanborn
Historical
Society
Orleans
County Genealogical Society
Lockport
Rugby Club
AOH/LAOH
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2001
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2001 Great Lakes Festival & Highland Games
We
proudly held our first festival on the grounds of The Harbor Resort
in Olcott. Held only two weekends following the tragedies of 9/11, the
festival coordinators considered canceling the entire event. Urged to
continue "leading normal lives," the decision was made to
press on...although a few events would change, including holding a parade
with the local fire companies to honor those lost on that horrible Tuesday.
Saturday went well, although the gray skies may have kept some people
away. Sunday however, was wonderful; the sky was bright and warm, and
the wonderful smell of kettle corn surrounded the field as the athletes
competed in front of an amazing crowd. By the end of this last day,
everyone working felt it had been a success, and buzzed excitingly about
what next year might bring.
2001
Schedule included:
Highland Games
Caber Pole Toss Championship
Border Collie Demonstrations
Saturday Night Caleigh
Visiting Clans |
War
Reenactors 2 days of Shows & Performances
Scottish and Irish Dancing
Storytelling Celtic Food and Vendors
Bus Tours of Olcott Beach
Tours to Murphy Orchards |
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Main
Stage
Clandestine
Hey Diddle Diddle
Jeremy Kittle and Jesse Mason
Inishman
The Colleens
Young Irish Dance School
Rochez Academy of Irish Dance
Closing Ceremonies with
The Niagara County Sheriff's Pipe Band
Firefighters
Area 3:
Niagara County
Wrights Corners Fire Co.
Olcott Fire Co.
Newfane Miller Hose Fire Co.
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Food
Court & Marketplace
Mariner's
Landing Restaurant
Harbor Resort Restaurant
Franklin Kettle Corn
The Welsh Cookie Company
The Celtic Cottage
Mulcahy Jewelry & Soldier Boy Miniatures
Copper Collectibles
Crystal by Shamus
Bill Milhorn
L & D Enterprise
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Town
Commons
MacFarlane
History Troupe
Niagara Celtic Heritage Society
Border Collie Demonstrations
Scottish Black Faced Sheep
Highland Competition
North American Caber Pole Toss Championship
Lockport Rugby Club
"The Clan Regiment-1745"
Company H 49th NYS Regiment- Civil War Reenactors
Barra the Bard
Clan MacFarlane
Clan Grant
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