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BELTANE 09

Scottish American Society

Maize Valley Winery
Scottish American Society
Celtic Beltane Festival
May 30th 2009

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Festival and winery
Pipers getting ready!
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The gods were smiling on the day of the festival.  It started out a bit chilly, but went on to become no less than absolutely perfect.  What a wonderful day we all had.  It was the very best Beltane Festival yet. 
 
We have so many super people to thank and many are listed on the "Special Events" page.  Bill Bakan has our never-ending gratitude.  The folks who brought their clan tents and spoke to the visitors earned our thanks just be being there.  Most of us know what a task it is to turn out for an event like this.  The vendors were great and were varied.  We hope their day was successful.  The re-enactors and car folks added a dimension that enriched the festival.  The folks at Hyde Park Farm deserve a special mention for bringing Highland Cattle for all the folks to see.  These gentle beasts thrive in the adverse climate and sparse vegetation of their native Scotland.  We are thrilled to include them in the festival. 
 
Once more, our profound thanks to Frances Acar and her committee for all the work done to bring this event to a successful conclusion.

Children's games
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Fiel participants
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Frances Acar
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Photos by Joy & Morris Dingman, Tadd Hardy, and Dreama Powell.

The Tigh na Creige Highland Dancers
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Highland Cattle
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They seem to be discussing the festival and the folks attending.  Far cry from their quiet home in Mogadore, Ohio.

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Heather MacNaughton


The ladies behind those delicious pastries.  Heather owns "British Pastries and More" in Leetonia, Ohio.  Everyone is glad when she shows up!

NEO Harpers
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NEO Harpers
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Always a popular act, the Northeast Ohio Harpers play twice during the festival. 

Melinda Crawford
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Melinda Crawford delighted everyone with her fiddle playing.  She is amazing. 

Melinda is U.S. National Fiddling champion and a Scottish F.I.R.E. Sanctioned Judge. For a better photo and sample of her playing, click here.

Scottish Country Dancers
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The Columbus Country Dancers and the Kent Country Dancers combined to put on a super performance. 

The Akron Ceili Band
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The Akron Ceili band delighted visitors with Irish and Scottish tunes. For more information on them, click here.

The McKenney Family Singers
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The song stylings of the McKenney Family always please the crowd.

The Rampant Mandolin
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John Whitacre performs for many area events with his partners. Check out his profile by clicking here.

Tossing the caber
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The performances of the highland athletes always draw a crowd - and not a few sighs from the ladies. 

Highland Cow
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Our many thanks to Paul and Paula Hyde and their family for allowing visitors to see some of their fine breeding stock of Highland Cattle.

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Welsh Fusiliers

The 23rd Regiment, Royal Welsh Fusiliers - Welsh Military re-enactors - were handsome and added an elegant touch to our festival. 

Dennis Gressock
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Dennis Gressock fascinates young and old alike with his re-enactment of a Highland Soldier in the Revolutionary War. 

The Heather Belles
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The Heather Belles, under the direction of Jenny Mae Caronchi, perform contemporary Scottish Highland Dance.

For more information on the Jenny May School of Highland Dance, click here.

Gleann Mòr Pipe Band
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The Gleann Mòr Pipe Band played for the Welcoming Ceremonies and later in the day with the Akron & District.  For anyone who likes the pipes, this was a grand day.

Akron & District Pipe Band
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The Akron and District Pipe Band plays for all occasions. If you wish more information on their organization, click here:

Combined pipe bands playing
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No heart could fail to be stirred by the sound of the combinted Gleann Mòr and Akron and District Pipes as they played the afternoon of the festival. 

Vintage Cars
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Wonderful vintage cars of every shape and size brought memories for vintage folks and lots of comments from young and old alike.

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We had a wonderful day, but we didn't get photos of everyone.  For an idea of the Welsh Country Dancers and the Waulking group, please take a look at last year's photos.  [Beltane '08]  You might also take a look there at the photo of our amazing Agnes Bagley - looking forward to celebrating birthday # 100 this year!

For pictures and text on the '08 Beltane Festival, click here.