KNYSNA NEWS - The 5th annual Knysna Celtic Festival is back in town on 15th and 16th February, with some exciting new acts added to the mix.
Friday 15th February, 19:00
The annual Ceilidh (a traditional Scottish or Irish spontaneous pub evening) has grown from humble beginnings and will again take place alongside the lagoon at Loerie Park – this year under a large stretch tent. With professional sound engineers and state-of-the-art PA equipment, it’s bound to be a memorable experience.
Here you can catch the ‘Battle of the Ceilidh Bands’ where a variety of musicians armed with bagpipes, guitars, fiddles, kit drums and more compete for a coveted slot in the Saturday evening concert. Jenny and The Jameses will add their magical touch to the proceedings.
Scotty and the Terriers are joining us from Grahamstown, bringing with them a lively repertoire of traditional Celtic pub songs.
Be sure not to miss the ‘Address to the Haggis’ – a unique Scottish tradition that you won’t soon forget.
Food and refreshments will be available at the Ceilidh, which promises to be a night to remember.
Tickets cost R125 per person and can be purchased from Sotheby’s International Realty offices in Knysna and Sedgefield or Bosuns Pub and Restaurant. The show starts at 19:00.
Street Parade – Saturday 16th Feb, 09:30
An undeniable highlight of the weekend, the Street Parade will see the Knysna & Districts Pipe Band and all visiting pipe bands march down the main street of our beautiful town. This unique event stands strong as the only competitive street parade in the country.
Thereafter, all the competitors form up as a Massed Pipes & Drums band and then march back together up the main street. This spectacle is guaranteed to raise emotions with misty eyes and goose bumps a prevailing theme – simply not to be missed.
The parade starts at0 9:30 in the Main Street of Knysna – good viewing areas centre about the Long Street intersection and the Knysna Mall.
Highland Gathering – Saturday 16th Feb from 11:00
Immediately after the street parade, the festivities move to Loerie Park where all manner of entertainment awaits.
The Highland Games, powered by X-Fit, Knysna, are experiencing a large number of entries as this iconic event grows in popularity. Witnessing participants tossing the caber and the keg amongst other fun activities, offers a great spectator sport.
The pipe bands will again assume centre stage with their nationally recognised pipe band competition followed by individual categories. For the first time ever, the competition will be followed by an exhilarating Massed Pipes and Drums display on the rugby field.
Also on the menu is the national Scottish Highland Dancing competition will take place with Scottish Country Dancing demonstrations providing further displays.
Food and refreshments will be available at the food court throughout the day with some added variety to tantalise your taste buds.
Lunchtime entertainment and shade will be provided by a host of musicians under the stretch tent near the pub and food stalls.
Day tickets are available at Loerie Park at R30 for adults and R15 for children.
Sundowners Celtic Concert – Saturday 16th Feb, 17:30
The eighth Celtic concert and forerunner of the Celtic Festival, kicks off at 5:00 PM at Loerie Park.
Jenny and the Jameses, whose popularity continues to grow, will open the show with their outrageously gifted array of melodies.
Fresh from recording their latest CD, Cape Town favourites, Blacksmith, will perform a full set in their uniquely charismatic style.
Next up, the Knysna & Districts Pipe Band, and the Castle Rock Ceilidh Band, will take your breath away with their moving repertoire. There have been requests for some contemporary and popular tunes and these will not go unheeded!
Scotty and the Terriers are joining the mix this year to add a rowdy touch with their set full of Celtic pub favourites such as The Wild Rover, The Black Velvet Band and the like. Crowd participation is something of a given when this outfit hits the stage.
Tickets are available from Sotheby’s International Realty offices in Knysna and Sedgefield plus Bosuns Pub and Restaurant at R150 per seat. Tickets will also be available at the entrance to the concert on Saturday afternoon from 15:30.
Beneficiaries and Sponsors
The Knysna Sea Cadets will again be the major beneficiaries of this fund raising event.
The Knysna Celtic Festival organisers wish to express their gratitude to the festival title sponsors, Sotheby’s International Realty, Knysna. The generous efforts of many Knysna businesses in supporting this effort are also much appreciated.
* More information: Facebook – Knysna Celtic Festival
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