Scottish, Irish & Welsh Food Galore at 30th Annual Tucson Celtic Festival Nov. 4 – 6


October 24, 2016
By Gloria Knott
By Gloria Knott

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What
Tucson Celtic Festival
When
6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Fri., Nov. 4
9 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sat. & Sun., Nov. 5 & 6
Where
Rillito Race Track
4502 N. 1st Ave.
More Info
tucsoncelticfestival.org
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The 30th annual Celtic Festival is back in Tucson this year on November 5 and 6, with Pirate Pub Night kicking off the weekend on Friday, November 4.

The Celtic Festival is a family friendly event that celebrates the culture of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The festival includes a full entertainment schedule, shopping, and competitions. But what’s a festival without food, right?

Event attendees will have the opportunity to explore the wonders of Celtic food, including:

  • Haggis made from quality Highland cattle from a Kansas farm
  • Scottish shepherd’s pie
  • Steak bridies
  • Bangers and mash
  • Classic fish and chips
  • Welsh cakes

Fifteen food vendors will be present at the event, including the Scottish Pie Shop from Albuquerque, Oz Highland Farms from Kansas, and the Welsh Baker, who sells out of his Welsh cakes at the Celtic Festival every year.

And of course, you can’t forget about the drinks.

The Celtic Festival will feature a Welsh Tea Room with a “Welsh Tea Experience,” and The Village Pub will offer whisky tastings and various Celtic brews including Kilt Lifter, Donny Brooks Oatmeal Stout, wine, mead, and single malt scotch. The festival will also offer its own whisky tasting tent.

Scottish Steak Pie from The Scottish Pie Shop (Photo credit: The Scottish Pie Shop)
Scottish Steak Pie from The Scottish Pie Shop (Photo credit: The Scottish Pie Shop)

The three-day event kicks off Friday, November 4 with Pirate Pub Night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets for Pirate Pub Night are $5. Children 5 and under are free.

Guests are encouraged to attend the Friday night event in pirate attire. Pirate Pub Night will consist of a Best Legs in a Kilt contest, games, a scavenger hunt, a fortune teller, a Scottish clan torchlight ceremony, live music, and food and beer.

Proceeds from Friday night’s sales will go towards Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse.

The festival will then continue on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. In addition to food and drinks, the festival will feature a caber toss, bagpipes, Youth Highland Games, Scottish dances, Irish dances, heritage and cultural booths, games, crafts, and a kid’s area.

The biggest event is the Highland Games for adults, which is a test of strength and athletic ability.

Performances for the festival include The Angry Brians, Celtica, Out of Kilters, Aris, Cirque Roots, and Puca, Cockswain, Muriel of Skye, and local Arizona Pipe Bands.

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday range in price. One-day general admission tickets are priced at $16 for adults, $5 for kids 5 – 15 years old. The festival also offers discounted prices for students, seniors, and the military.

Two-day general admission is priced at $22.

And for those who wish to bring donations to Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse, one-day general admission tickets will be priced at $14 instead of $16.

Donation requests include hair conditioner, hair brushes, razors, baby wipes, and diapers.

For more information, visit tucsoncelticfestival.org. To purchase tickets, visit the Tucson Celtic Festival on Ticketleap. 

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