Archive: Arts & Entertainment

When is it possible to get to Scotland from Lansing in about 25 minutes by car? Last Saturday it was almost possible if you went to the Cortland Celtic Festival. The 5th annual festival was held in the Cortland fair grounds, which were filled with fans and descendants of Ireland and Scotland. Food, entertainment, outdoor events and Celtic merchants covered the fair grounds all day, culminating in an evening concert featuring popular bands Gaelic Storm and Enter the Haggis.

The festival was started five years ago by the Cortland Youth Bureau, but last year the Cortland Celtic Cultural Association was formed to manage the event. More than 80 volunteers participated, led by this year's chair person Collen DeGouff. Performers and merchants came from all over the United States to participate in the festival. The day's events included Celtic dog, horse and cattle breeds, a professional Scottish heavy athletic competition, a living history exhibit and plenty of Irish step dancing and bagpipe music.

Committee member Cecile Scott told us that increased interest in Celtic heritage in Cortland has been spurred by the festival. Since it began new groups have sprouted up including Highland Dance group, Irish Step Dance and Bagpipe groups. Festival volunteers do everything from directing traffic to selling admissions tickets to selling raffle tickets and directing children's games.

Anne Habermehl talks harps

Lansing Irish Harpers have bought instruments from The Harp and Dragon, owned by Anne Habermehl, whose business is based in her Cortland home. Ms. Scott said, "Anne was our first vendor and she's back every year." Ms. Habermehl's tent was stocked with many instruments including bagpipes and chanters, bodrahns (Irish drums), and harps, as well as other Celtic wares. Her business is world wide with sales from her web site as well as Celtic festivals.

Floridians Sandy and Rob McAllister

Rob and Sandy McAllister's Faire Isles Trading Company is a similar home based business based in Bradenton, Florida. They also sell on the Internet, at festivals and from their home. Mr. McAllister drove a truck to Cortland for this event, which carries a tent that becomes a portable store in which the couple sells Celtic jewelry, a varied stock of clothing, and gifts and collectibles. Sandy flew up to meet him, and there was a steady stream of customers in their tent. Their enthusiasm for the merchandise and their heritage was evident, as Mr. McAllister demonstrated how a traditional Irish brooch is used to fasten a scarf or cloak, or enthusiastically talked about the quality of a garment.

Tossing a stone

You can't have a Celtic festival without pipers, and the Mohawk Valley Frasers Pipe Band provided traditional pipe and drum music for much of the day. They accompanied performers from the Drumcliffe School of Irish Dance while marching in formation. In the Heavy Athletics area events included Braemar Stone, Caber Toss and Sheaf Toss, among others. Many participants came in costume and brought their Scottish Terriers with them. Members of Clans MacLellan and Ross had display tents where they told visitors about their families' heritage. And of course an Irish pub sold Guiness while The Flyin' Column Irish Show Band, Fieldstone and the Peelers sang and played traditional songs and tunes. Meanwhile oldies station WXHC played Celtic music throughout the day.

Scotties!

The culmination of the evening was a concert by Gaelic Storm and Enter the Haggis, two name bands comprised of a combination of musicians from Ireland, Scotland, Canada and the US.

Ms. DeGouff says, "Feel that wonderful spirit of exuberance, belonging, and community celidhs are famous for. Then we know you'll be back next year!" That sums up the spirit on Saturday's crowd. This festival was a high-spirited celebration of Celtic heritage.

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