St. Augustine Celtic Festival Paints the City Green
The St. Augustine Celtic Music and Heritage Festival brought swarms of green-shirt wearing, kilt-wearing patrons to Francis Field. This two-day event took place from March 11-12 and celebrated “St. Augustine’s Celtic heritage.”
A map of St. Augustine pinpointing Francis Field. Created on Google Maps. 2017. (Created by: Mal Carney)
This was only the 7th year of the St. Augustine Celtic Festival, but this annual event has already won accolades from Best of St. Augustine and Bold City Best. In 2016 the festival won best Festival/Event from Best of St. Augustine and Best Event/Concert from Bold City Best.
One of the major appeals of this event is its many vendors. Over 50 food and merchandise vendors set up shop at Francis Field to bring patrons Irish and Scottish foods, clothing, jewelry, soaps, and more.
Guests wanting musical entertainment had two stages to choose from. 8 musical acts performed on the main stage. The second stage showcased 4 performers or performing groups.
The Highland Games took place at the front of the field. There were 7 events and 8 classes of competition in these games. These events tested the athletes’ strength and skill. The caber toss, for example, is a Scottish game where competitors throw a large wooden pole, or caber, in an attempt to have said pole land directly in the 12 o’clock position opposite the thrower. These wooden cabers differ in weight depending on the class of competition, but they are typically over 19-feet tall and 175 pounds.
Athletes holding up the caber during the caber toss at the St. Augustine Celtic Festival. Mar. 11 2017. (Photo: Mal Carney)
At the St. Augustine Celtic Festival fans cheered for competitors during 4 rounds of caber tossing. There was also weight throwing events, a hammer throw, and sheaf throwing. All the events had either Irish or Scottish origin.
Though the Celtic Festival officially started on Saturday, March 11th, those wanting to get the party started earlier could take part in a Whiskey tasting event on Friday, March 10th. This event had 7 Scotch and Irish Whiskeys for patrons to enjoy.
The St. Augustine Celtic Music and Heritage Festival has brought 7 years of music, food, and culture to the nation’s oldest city. With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, the festival chose the perfect time to get people into the Celtic spirit.
Visit the St. Augustine Celtic Festival’s website for more details.
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