Every February, more than 8,500 lovers of music and fun attend the indoor Greater Philadelphia Mid-Winter Scottish & Irish Music Festival and Fair. Once again, fans of Irish and Scottish music and culture will come to the Valley Forge Convention Center in King of Prussia on February 15, 16 & 17 for this year’s 16th Annual Music extravaganza.
The weekend begins with a Kick-Off Celtic Concert Friday night at 7 with Philadelphia’s Downtown Harvest. Returning to the festival is Searson. This favorite family band, consisting of three sisters and their father hails from Ontario, Canada where Celtic music reigns. The next two bands come direct from Scotland. From the borders of Scotland, Scocha (Scotia), fabulous with their modern day approach to traditional Scottish sounds and Albannach rounds out the evening. It’s the Scottish version of Stomp. Drums, drums, more drums and bagpipes sure to rouse the blood!
Promoters Bill and Karen Reid of East of the Hebrides Entertainments have scheduled activities and music to be presented continuously all weekend. Additionally, more than 30 craft exhibitors, vendors and fraternal organizations will brighten the festivities for the entire family when the box office opens at 6:30 p.m. on Friday for the Kick-Off Concert.
The Celtic Celebration takes place in the spacious indoor Convention Center with a full slate of top Irish, Scottish, Australian, Canadian and American performers, exhibits and vendors Saturday, February 16 from 9:30 a.m. to midnight and Sunday, February 17 from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Bagpipers will march throughout the weekend, along with Irish Step and Scottish Highland dancers kicking up their heels while internationally acclaimed musicians will perform continuously from four stages. Performances on Saturday and Sunday include: Scythian from Washington, D.C., recipients of the coveted traditional folk duo/group award of 2007; Scotland’s 2007 Folk Band of the Year, the incredible Old Blind Dogs; Ireland’s fabulous sister band, Screaming Orphans, who are known for their back-up of Sinead O’Connor.
Dynamic Canadian Irish & Scottish bands join the line-up. Searson, Greenwich Meantime, The MacLeod Fiddlers, Hadrian’s Wall and fiddler Dan Stacey all come from north of the border. The eclectic Australian trio, Brother lends bagpipes, percussion and didgeridoos to the festivities. Singer/songwriter, Rick Kurek will lead a song session and Celtic music’s latest heroes, Slide Show Baby will rock. Rounding out the entertainment are local favorites, Timlin & Kane, Charlie Zahm, Oliver McElhone, Companions of the Cross, Didgeridoo Master – DidgeriDrew and one of Philadelphia’s hottest Irish bands, Paddy’s Well.
A highlight on Sunday will be an opportunity to hear and meet Scotland’s fiddle genius, Alasdair Fraser. Composer of fiddle pieces for many movies, including The Last of the Mohicans and Titanic, Alasdair is accompanied by cello prodigy Natalie Haas.
Second floor stage areas will include a Fiddle and Traditional Music Jam and the public is encouraged to bring their instruments. There will also be dance lessons with Irish dance Instructor, Rosemarie Timoneyand Scottish dancer, Lynnette Fitch Brash. Festival goers can take part in Scottish & Irish Whisky tastings and search their family tree at the fraternal organizations. They can also shop for claddagh jewelry, clan crests, tartan scarves, kilts, Scots and Irish clothing, accessories, CDs and a host of other Celtic wares.
The Reids encourage everyone to come out, even if you’re not from the Auld Sod, the Highlands or the Lowlands but enjoy music, spectacle, dance and a real good time for all ages.
Children 12 and under are Free. Adult admission at the door is $25 per day for Saturday and Sunday. The Friday night concert is $20. Daily re-admission is free but no one will have to go out for food. There will be traditional fish and chips, meat pies and American foods. All parking is free.
The festival is sponsored in part by Whole Foods, Guinness, Harp, Smithwick’s, Coors Light, Newcastle, McEwan’s, Woodchuck Cider, Smirnoff Twisted V, Sand Castle Winery, Brittingham’s Irish Pub and The Shanachie Irish Pub.
The Valley Forge Convention Center is just 15 miles from center city Philadelphia, two miles from Valley Forge Exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and close by routes 202, 76 and 476. Many hotels and restaurants are conveniently located for travelers.
The schedule:
- Saturday, February 16 (9:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.)
- Sunday, February 17 (10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
Location:
The Valley Forge Convention Center
First Avenue & Gulph Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Free parking. All events are indoor.
Admission:
$20 Friday Night Celtic Kick-Off Concert
$25 Saturday and Sunday
Free to children 12 and under
Advance Discount ticket for two- and three-day passes until February 7. Free daily re-admission each day.
