Arts & Entertainment

Graeme Park Doubles Celtic Festival Fun

Organizers have expanded Graeme Park's annual Celtic Festival to two days and scheduled popular musicians Seamus Kennedy and the Glengarry Bhoys.

If Beth MacCausland’s phone calls and emails from people living in Ohio and Virginia are any indication, this year’s Celtic Festival at Graeme Park is going to break previous attendance records.

MacCausland, who helps organize the festival at the Horsham historic site, attributes some of the excitement to the festival’s expansion to two days. 

But, mostly she said her decision to book the Glengarry Bhoys and this year’s featured performer, Seamus Kennedy–an award-winning traditional and contemporary musician whose career spans three decades–is what’s drawing interest from non-locals. 

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“These guys may have a good following,” MacCausland said of the Celtic favorites.

Besides new entertainers, MacCausland said she and other organizers “almost pulled our hair out trying to work everybody in.”

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Indeed, from pipe and drum bands, to Irish dancers, Celtic language instruction, sheep herding and border collie demonstrations, a kilt-making how-to, pole-throwing athletics and a haggis-eating contest, Graeme Park’s 17th annual event offers something for everyone, many times simultaneously. 

With an eye to the annual Celtic Classic in Bethlehem and her hope to make the Horsham festival “bigger and better,” MacCausland said she took a recommendation to expand to two days. 

In doing so, she said she hopes to see the typical crowds grow from 1,500 to at least 2,000. Proceeds from the annual event help the 42-acre Graeme Park “stay alive.” With an extra day of Celtic food, fun and activities, MacCausland said she’d like to double the typical $10,000 generated.

“Our price is right. There are festivals that are way more expensive,” MacCausland said. “There’s a lot of entertainment for $10.”

Festival-goers who attend on Saturday, for instance, can see the Glengarry Bhoys– plus dozens of other entertainers–for far less than the $25 general admission price for the band’s show the following day at the Sellersville Theater, she pointed out. 

“You won’t be bored,” MacCausland said. “It is bigger. It is better.” 

If you go

Graeme Park, 859 County Line Road in Horsham, will host its 17th annual Celtic Festival Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. The festival features musical entertainment, dancers, various food vendors and more. Cost is $10 per day or $15 for both days for adults; and $5 per day for kids ages 13 to 17; kids under 12 are admitted free. For a complete schedule and more information, click here.


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