Taking part in the 56-lb. toss, Mike Creemer of North Bend tests his swing. Scottish Heavy Athletics events are part of the festival. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        ANDERSON TOWNSHIP — The Cincinnati Celtic Festival gives folks a chance to get in touch with their roots and sink new ones.

        Among the thousands attending Saturday's event were those with family ties to Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England as well as those who just feel an affinity with all things Celtic.

        “Our son studied in Ireland last spring, and my husband and I spent eight days there,” said Jane Mongin of Beavercreek, who came to the festival to relive her trip. “Ireland is a wonderful place.”

        Her friend Cathy Miller of Centerville wanted to experience the music and dancing that she remembers from living in an Irish-American community in upstate New York.

        “My family came to this country from Donegal, Ireland, in 1880,” said Bridgetown resident Fred Spaulding. “My daughter, who just turned 4, loves to watch Irish dancing. She'll be up on the stage in a couple of years.”

IF YOU GO

What: Cincinnati Celtic Music and Cultural Festival.    When: Noon-7 p.m. today.    Where: Coney Island.    Admission: $7 ages 13 and over, $1 ages 5-12. Parking $3.    Highlights: Kirkin' o' the Tartans service 9:30 a.m., Catholic Mass 10:30 a.m., McGing Irish Dancers 2 p.m., Crasdant 5 p.m., Tannahill Weavers 5:30 p.m.    Information: 533-4822 or www.cincinnaticelticfestival.com.

        Bagpipes lured festivalgoers to the Doyle Dance Stage, where youngsters in highland regalia performed the precise movements of Scottish dance. Following that presentation by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society, the Welsh band Crasdant illustrated its native form of percussion: clogging.

        “My daughter is interested in dancing of all kinds. Her grandmother has Scottish roots,“ said London native David Turner .

        Mr. Turner, who now lives in Milford, attended the festival for the first time with Abbey, 8.

        This weekend marks the 11th year that Cincinnati Folk Life has presented its Celtic Music and Cultural Festival at Coney Island. Attendance averages

        20,000 to 25,000, organizers say, with folks coming from all over the United States and the United Kingdom. Music at the two-day event ranges from high-energy acoustic pub songs to the reflective sounds of the Irish harp.

        While contra dancers, morris dancers and cloggers wow crowds at one end of the festival grounds, the festival's Hedge School holds hourlong classes on Celtic spirituality, art and myth. In between activities there is plenty of opportunity to shop and sample food and drink of Ireland and the British Isles.

        “The only complaint we get about the festival is that there's too much to do,” said organizer JoAnn Buck. “We try to incorporate the entire culture of the Celtic countries, including writing, art and theatre.”

        Walter Lee Forbes of Evanston wore his family tartan and was ready to soak up some Scottish culture. “If you buy a tuxedo, you probably don't wear it six times a year. I wear my kilt at least that often,” he said.
       

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