FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Sonia Outlaw-Clark
March 14, 2016 901.729.2871 soutlawclark@gmail.com
CelticFest Announces New Location
BROWNSVILLE TN (March 13, 2016): The Celtic Society of West Tennessee is pleased to announce the new location for its annual CelticFest. This year marks the 11th year for the event and will be held on the grounds of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, Tenn. The Heritage Center, along with the Brownsville-Haywood County Chamber of Commerce, are partnering with the Celtic Society to present the two-day festival September 17-18.
“The location in Brownsville is right off of I-40 and a more central location for most of our members and vendors,” says Bobby Bates, Celtic Society president. “It will be easy for our attendees to find and we believe this is an opportunity to celebrate our shared Celtic heritage with more people.”
Celtic is sometimes mistakenly thought of as just describing the culture of Scotland and Ireland. However, at one time, the Celts inhabited all of Western Europe. According to Bates, nine Celtic nations still remain.
“You may not think of Celtic as being a part of West Tennessee heritage, but there are many people in our region with Celtic roots and they are dedicated to keeping that culture alive,” says Sonia Outlaw-Clark, Heritage Center director. “That ties in perfectly with our mission and we are excited to host the festival.”
The West Tennessee group is based in Jackson and includes members from Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas, as well as other areas of the country. Volunteers donate their time to create an authentic, family-friendly experience that includes Celtic food, music, one-of-a-kind merchandise and demonstrations.
According to Chamber Director Steve Hilton, Brownsville’s central location and its proximity to Interstate 40 makes good sense for the event. But there are other reasons, too. “We will have guests staying overnight,” says Hilton, “and since our hotels are right next door to the action it will be very convenient to simply walk out your door to join the fun.”
Hilton also points out that the location is highly visible to travelers exiting the interstate for gas or food. “With 35,000 cars a day traveling by us on I-40, this gives us an opportunity to grow the festival and attract more people to stay longer in Brownsville.”
CelticFest is the primary fundraiser for the non-profit group who raises money each year for worthy causes throughout West Tennessee. Admission is $6 per person, per day or $5 with a nonperishable food donation. Children 12 and under are free. This is a rain or shine, family-friendly event.
For more information about CelticFest, please contact Bobby or Sue Bates at 731-845-5521, or visit the website: www.celticsocietyofwtn.org.
CAPTION: The 11th Annual CelticFest will be held September 17-18, in Brownsville, Tenn. The two-day event, sponsored by the Celtic Society of West Tennessee, includes reenactments and entertainment by groups such as the Northeast Arkansas Caledonian Pipes and Drums.
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