Have you ever wondered what it feels like to shoot an authentic Celtic longbow? Ever wanted to learn how to brew mead? Ever had a hankering to learn more about the ancient indigenous cultures of the British Isles?
Then come to the fourth annual Celtic Bhealltain Festival May 5 and 6 at Buford Park near the base of Mt. Pisgah in Lane County. The festival will feature aspects of Celtic cultures, including traditional Scottish and Irish music, songs depicting Celtic history in both English and Gaelic, a traditional fire ceremony to celebrate the beginning of the summer season and an all-village Gaelic football game on Sunday.
Site manager Mik Thompson will be on site to make sure everything runs smoothly.
“We want everything to be as historic as possible. We’ll have microphones to amplify the music, but they will be discreetly hidden,” he said.
Other activities include instruction in the art of longbow and crossbow hunting and a marketplace of artisans hawking traditional wares such as jewelry, clothes, herbal medicines and weapons. Food and drink from the era will also be offered.
Festival organizers are working hard to provide a historically accurate event, including a traditional entry gate.
“We have over 100 volunteers working to recreate an entire Celtic village,” said Eric Hartmann, the publicity director for the Celtic Festival. Hartmann also mentioned the significance of Celtic Festival for Oregon, as the area was primarily settled by Scots.
According to festival organizer Heather Thompson, the purpose of the festival “is to bring the histories and traditions of Celtic culture to Lane County for those who might not otherwise have a chance to experience it.”
Tickets for the festival cost $8 per day for adults, $12 for a two-day pass and $2 for children under 13. Tickets may be purchased at the gate, by phone through Ticketmaster, or at Mrs. Thompson’s Herbs, Gifts and Folklore and the Buy and Sell Music Center. For more information and directions, check the festival Web site at www.celtic.net/acm.