SNOW HILL — The 29th Annual Chesapeake Celtic Festival will be held at Furnace Town Oct. 6-7 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. both days.
The festival will open with an original musical show based on “Marshall Muskrat and the Chesapeake Pirates” by Jeanne du Nord. The show opens with an overture, has six songs, and a happy ending.
The Somerset Country Dancers will be dancing on the new Furnace Town Stage recently completed by the Worcester County Eagle Scouts.
The Opening Ceremonies will be led by a parade featuring the Ocean City Pipe and Drum Band. The flags, carried by the Snow Hill High School ROTC, will be carried to the top of the Furnace Ramp and set by the cadets. The flags from the Seven Celtic Nations symbolize Scotland, Ireland, Wales, the Isles of Man, Cornwall, Brittany and the Spanish provinces of Asturias and Galitzia. Many of the early settlers from these countries came to Furnace Town.
Iona and Moch Pryderi, top performers among Celtic musical groups, will be performing on the Main Stage and will be joined by Pickin’ and Grinnin’.
Around the grounds, re-enactment groups will be re-creating the lifestyles of the people of long-ago.
The clans will be on hand for honoring and dispensing information about genealogy and traditions.
On the athletic field, giant Highland athletes will be hurling cabers and even hay stacks. On another field, warriors of old will be flailing historic martial arts weapons.
Wolfhounds and other dogs look on at all this activity while being admired by those who look at them. All sorts of big and little dogs admire the action and the crowds.
Costumed artisans from Furnace Town make brooms, horseshoes, woven goods, even printed material.
Hear storytelling and the role of the Irish in domesticating the bees, even the story of St. Modomnoc.
Come eat bridies, shortbread, even haggis (if you’re brave). Have a sip of ale or even a wee dram of scotch.
For a full slate of events, go to www.celticfest.net.