News Release - Rochester to Host Celtic Festival at MLK Park Sept. 11, 12

City of Rochester

News Release

(Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015) – Mayor Lovely A. Warren and the organizers of the Rochester Celtic Festival are pleased to announce that the inaugural Celtic Festival of Rochester will be held in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square on Sept. 11 and 12. The festival will feature international headliners, regional and local favorite Irish musicians, Irish dancing and food.

“Rochester has a proud Irish community with deep roots in the city, so I am pleased and honored for this opportunity to once again celebrate a full range of Celtic culture in our city,” said Mayor Warren. “I want to thank the organizers for bringing this event Downtown, which will further enhance Rochester’s quality of life and help us create more jobs, safer, more vibrant neighborhoods and provide all children with a quality education. Whether you were born Irish or just love the spirit of the Irish people, the Celtic Festival will provide a great time for the entire family.”

“We are so happy to hold the Celtic Festival of Rochester in Downtown Rochester,” said Festival organizer Michael O’Leary. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park at Manhattan Square is the best spot in Monroe County to hold a family-friendly festival. It’s centrally located, has lots of parking and plenty of room to host a wide range of activities for the entire family. We are truly fortunate to have the support of Mayor Warren and her staff in helping us launch this festival and bring Irish culture to the heart of the city.”

The Celtic Festival of Rochester is organized by three well known local Irish groups: The Saint Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, the Ancient Order of the Hibernians and the Irish Children’s Program of Rochester. Proceeds from the event will benefit those organizations.

The two-day event will feature international headliners Burning Bridget Cleary; and Runa on Saturday, Sept. 12 and regional favorites Linda Rutherford and Celtic Fire; and Everhart on Friday, Sept. 11. Other acts include the Wild Geese, Rusty Kettle and several schools of Irish dance. Saturday night activities will include an Irish mass at Saint Mary’s Church. For more information, visit www.rochestercelticfestival.com.

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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.

 

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