Celtic Fest Chicago Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary

September 16th and 17th, 2006 in Grant Park

Free summer music doesn't end in Grant Park after Labor Day. Find your Celtic side at Celtic Fest Chicago, September 16th and 17th in Grant Park. To celebrate it's 10th anniversary, Celtic Fest will feature some of the finest talent from the past ten years such as headliners, La Bottine Souriante and Natalie MacMaster, as well as Brian McNeill and Baal Tinne just to name a few.

Celtic Fest Chicago provides young and old the opportunity to take a break from the routine one last time before summer is over. This year's festival will feature national and international musicians representing all seven Celtic nations on 9 stages. Headlining at the Petrillo Music Shell on Saturday, September 16, La Bottine Souriante and Kornog and on Sunday, September 16, Natalie MacMaster and the Bangor Male Voice Choir.

New this year, Celtic Men in Kilts! Guys, get in touch with your Celtic side, grab a kilt and head to the Celtic Voice Tent at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 16 for the Men in Kilts leg contest! All men must be 21 to enter and can sign up day of the contest beginning at 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Media Tent located at Columbus and Jackson. Back by popular demand: the sheepherding demonstration from 2-2:30 P.M. in Butler Field each day; the C?il? Dance Tent and live Celtic music at the Gathering Tent.

Don't miss the Celtic Art Fair, where you're sure to find beautiful hand-knit Irish wool sweaters, hand-crafted jewelry, photographs, paintings, and other great one-of-a-kind gift ideas. Also fun to watch: the Scottish heavy athletics competition, featuring the caber toss; the harp tent; the dance stage, with Highland and Irish step dancing; the Kids Celtic Oasis or take a break at the coffee and tea garden. Finally at 11:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. daily, step off with the Bagpipe Parade and enjoy the pipes as they make their way down Columbus and Jackson.

A preview performance for Celtic Fest Chicago is scheduled for Wednesday, September 6 with Baal Tinne, a local Irish band, on Daley Plaza at Dearborn and Washington beginning from noon until 1:00 p.m. On Friday, September 15, The Hatfield Sisters and Brian McNeill will appear at the Chicago Cultural Centers' Preston Bradley Hall at 78 East Washington from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Both performances are FREE.

Celtic Fest Chicago is presented by the Mayor's Office of Special Events and sponsored by Celebration Creamery, Time Out Chicago, Communications Direct, Hinckley Spring, La Grou Distribution, Inc., Pepsi, Chicago Tribune, CLTV, WGN, Essex Inn, Hyatt McCormick, Stewarts Coffee, AT&T Blue Room, National City, WXRT, Chicago Transit Authority, Rampant Lion Celtic Traders and Southwest Airlines.