ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Celtic Music & Heritage Festival in St. Augustine entered its final day on Sunday.
The popular two day celebration recognizes Scottish, Irish, and Welse heritage all weekend long.
USA Today ranked the festival four out of the top 10 best cultural events in the country.
Gates opened at Francis Field in downtown St. Augustine at 10 a.m. with live entertainment on the mainstage and secondary stage at noon. The festival ends at 7 p.m.
Musical performers include Albannach, Clover’s Revenge, Jamison, Mudmen, Screaming Orphans, Seven Nations, and Syr.
Douglas Moran carries out the pride of his heritage at the Celtic Music and Heritage Festival by selling sporrans, which are traditional Scottish pouches.
He and his wife have been making them in their living room for the business “The Irish Scott,” for the past six years.
“We sit there with a roll of leather, we cut it out, and then we put it on the sewing machine and we sew bags,” Moran said.
He said he loves seeing people come by and buy he and his wife’s work.
The Highland games, a test of skills, began at 10 a.m. too.
Veronica Niles is an athlete for the Foundation for Scottish Athletics. She said it feels really good to throw heavy things.
She’s done the sheaf toss at the games in her two years participating, along with the pitchfork and bag. For that, you need more than just movement.
“The technique is where it’s at, and you have to be able to stop at the right place to launch it at the right trajectory and as you go higher, you need to move forward,” Niles said.
She said her favorite part is the people, camaraderie and the friends made along the way.
General Admission tickets are still available online, will be available at the gate, and do not sell out. GA tickets are good for one day and are $25. Children 12 and under, active duty, and retired military personnel are free. Tickets may be purchased online here, in person at Ann O’Malley’s Irish Pub, and at the gate.
All ticket, beverage, and festival merchandise sales are cash only, no credit cards accepted. ATMs will be available at the gate.
The downtown parking garage is available, located right next to Francis Field. There is also paid street parking.
The STAR Circulator bus will help you navigate around St. Augustine.
