The Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-08-12, Page 4Page A4 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Festival musicians some of the
From page 1
"The musicians we have here are
the highest calibre in the world," said
Eleanor. "There is a lot of excitement
built up over the past eight das."
Those eight days. spent at the Celtic
College not only allow the performers
to master their own show, but many
acts are collaborations of players from
around the world.
One such musician is Terry Young,
a multi -talented, multi -instrument per-
former with Tanglefoot. Young was on
the festival's main stage last • year as
well, though a bout of uncooperative
weather ended their set early.
"I think (Warren) thought we got
short-changed last year," he laughed.
Young praised the festival and its
many volunteers for yet another job
well done.
"The hospitality vas well orga-
nized," he. said. "And the sound on the
main stage was excellent. They don't
try to reduce the budget. (Warren and
Eleanor) get the best people possible
and anytl g I heard was wonderful."
Helpd
to organize the Celtic Col-
legeandFestival is Lisa Hood. She said
there was no end to the people willing
to welcome in the Celtic crowd
"Everyone was so wonderful open-
ing their doors to us," she said.
The festival theme turned out to be
true in more ways than one, as the Col-
lege itself was spread across town.
"We made the most of a `scattered'
situation," Hood said.
Audience enjoyment, she said, was
certainly not hindered by the rain. This
is the first time in years the dancefloor
was full, as De Temps Antan coaxed
the wallflowers from their lawnchairs
Saturday night.
"People were ready to have a va-
cation," she said. "Get out and have
fun."
Clad in their Celtic dresses with
flowers in their hair, sisters Angela
and Erin Dalton of Kingsbridge were
among those looking forward to the
festival.
•
"This is what makes my summer,"
Angela said. "I've been dressing up
for as long as I've been volunteering -
seven or eight years."
Angela makes the trip back from
Guelph each summer and sister Erin is
something of a Celtic convert.
"This is so much fun," she said.
"During the year, you don't get to dress
up at all except maybe Halloween.
highest calibre
"Music, art, crafts... It's everything
in one go"
The Robinsons said while the rain
may have served as a deterrent for
some, the Celtic crowd comes pre-
pared.
"In 17 years we've only had two bad
weather. weekends and it was the last
two," Eleanor said. "It didn't dampen
any spirits last night. The fan base
comes prepared"
Rain gear and umbrellas were fre-
quent sights Saturday, but the skies
closed just in time for the 12 p.m. start
on Sunday.
Warren said rain is a small price to
pay to be able to host a world-class
outdoor concert.
"The alternative is not to have mu-
sic festivals outdoors," he said. "That
would be a tragedy."
Attesting to the cultural value of
the festival, Mayor Deb Shewfelt told
the Harbour Park crowd, "we've been
blessed for the past 17 years."
With an ever-expanding lineup and
a reputation as one of the best festi-
vals of its kind in the world, Goderich
can look forward to being blessed for
many more.
Photos by Gera
Clockwise from top: Ailie Robe
Edinburgh adds a Scottish touch to Th
Track; Eric udji Of -De Temps Anta
crowd: d dancinglEpse off
night;
We -n Chevali r of Mo eal
dulcimer, . iri Rankin provid QiThdd
and even .. c' g d irig 'd
Aug. 8 set; Pe ear .: - -Ashton
make friends int activity tent pp
creators Warren. nleanor R.
minute to talk • -image
Young. �,,,