A SCOTTISH CELEBRATION OF SPRING

The Scottish American Society is sponsoring its sixth annual Celtic Beltane Festival on Saturday the 22nd of May 2010 at Maize Valley Market & Winery, 6193 Edison Street NE (State Route 619) just east of Hartville, Ohio. Gates open at 10:00 am, with a welcoming ceremony at noon.  Closing ceremony is at 6:00 in the evening.

The festival is an all day, family oriented event.  Two pipe bands will be featured, the Akron and District and the Gleann Mòr Pipe Band.  The Akron Ceili Band will present traditional Scottish and Irish tunes.  The Tigh na Creige Highland dancers will perform traditional dances under the direction of Christie Urquhart Walsh.  The Heather Belles under the direction of the Jenny May School of dance will present sophisticated Highland dancing. 

Performances will be given by The Welsh Country dancers of Columbus, Ohio , the Scottish Country dancers of Columbus, Ohio, under the direction of Sandi Utrata, and the Kent Scottish Country Dancers under the direction of Frances Acar.  Celtic Harpers will be led by Dreama Powell. 

Several re-enactors will set up camp at the event.  Pioneer re-enactors, as well as the Welsh Fusiliers, and British Revolutionary War soldiers will bring equipment and information.  There will be highland athletics performed as well as games for the children.  Several clan tents will be present and a large number of interesting vendors.  Wine tasting is available and this year for the first time, Maize Valley Farms and various crafts people will present a "back to back."   This signifies from the back of the sheep to the back of the human. Carding and spinning will follow shearing the sheep. That will be followed by weaving the wool into a scarf which will be "waulked" in the traditional Scottish manner. It will then be raffled or auctioned off.

Highland Cattle, British pastries, and vintage cars will be present.  A basket raffle will also be held to help with the fund raising for Pegasus, a 501 (c) (3) charity and a premier therapeutic riding center.   [For more information on Pegasus, see their web site at: www.pegasusfarm.org ]  Other entertainers will also be present.  The Sound system is provided by J and C Entertainment, Manager James Morehead, Tel.: 330-608-5826