The Mayor of New Albany addressing the crowd at the 2010 Fest
In the fall of 2008, twenty people formed an organization known as the Kentuckiana Celtic Foundation Inc.(KCF). This organization would include all Celtic groups and nationalities and adopted “Celts on the River” as the identity slogan which is registered with the Secretary of State as a non-profit foundation. The word “Kentuckiana” in the organization name is used to include a substantial number of people of Celtic heritage who live in Indiana as well as Kentucky. Our intent is to sponsor events on both sides of the Ohio River.
The group was formed to celebrate our ancestral background primarily Welsh, Scottish, and Irish. As we say, when Celts gather…good things happen. At a Celts on the River function, you can guarantee good music, food, dancing, storytelling, dress, libations, fun and laughter will all be in attendance.
The inaugural Celts on the River concert was held in the summer of 2009 at the New Albany Amphitheater. This fun-filled, seven-hour event included food, vendors, information booths, and music and would not have been possible without the help and support from the City of New Albany. Other generous sponsors and donors enable us to make this a free event for the community. With over 2,000 attendees, the Celts on the River concert was one of the largest events to be held at this venue. We continued the tradition by holding the second annual Celts on the River on June 12, 2010 at the New Albany Amphitheater.
The third annual Celts on the River Festival will take place on Saturday, June 18, 2011 from 4:00 to 10:00 PM in New Albany’s Riverfront Amphitheater. Once again the festival is free admission. It is sponsored by the Kentuckiana Celtic Foundation with major financial support from area corporations, organizations and individuals.
Headliner entertainers for this year include Mark Geary, a well-know performer from Ireland via New York and Brendan Loughrey and Bluestack from Ireland via Chicago. Brendan is returning to Celts on the River for the second time.
Activities for the day include local Irish bands during the afternoon hours, cultural and children’s activities, exhibits and demonstrations by area Celtic organizations, food and beverage sales and Irish style beer brewed and served by the New Albanian Brewing Company.
Proceeds from Celts on the River will benefit Kentucky Harvest’s Blessings in a Back Pack that provides weekend food for needy children. Patrons are asked to bring new or gently used back packs to the festival. Cash donations will be accepted for “Blessings in a Back Pack” as well.
