REPORT ON 2010 ECHUCA MOAMA CELTIC FESTIVAL

                                                    7, 12 - 13 March 2010

 

This was the second annual Celtic Festival held in Echuca Moama, and from the organizers perspective,

proved to be a great success.

The rain in the week leading up to the Festival was greatly appreciated but it held some concern that it may continue through to the main weekend of the Festival. However, the sun shone, the ground dried up and we had a marvellous weekend of Celtic Music and Dancing.

At each of the events we were pleased to introduce our young ambassador, Kirrily Stephens, who welcomed people in a capable and friendly manner, adding very much to the atmosphere of the Festival.

On Sunday 7 March, the Festival commenced with a concert by the Australian Welsh Male Choir from Melbourne. As we have come to expect from the choir, their performance provided the audience with a variety of Welsh music as well as an instrumental item on the balalaika. Their performance concluded with a standing ovation and cries for an encore.

The main part of the Festival commenced with the Gathering of the Clans Dinner at the Moama Bowling Club with tickets being sold out several weeks in advance. We were able to squeeze a few more in but unfortunately some missed out on a very enjoyable evening.  We were delighted to have representatives from Clan MacLeod Pipe Band, Bendigo to pipe in the haggis. After the address to the haggis, tasty Scottish entrees and dinner followed. During dinner we were entertained by an exciting group, Evelyn's Secret and the students from the Dullard School of Dancing. This was followed by Colin MacLeod, wandering through the audience, playing his fiddle to the delight of those to whom he played special songs. After the dinner, Braemar and Friends took the stage with instrumental items, songs and dance music. A grand night was had by all.

Saturday was the main day of activities in the streets, clubs and restaurants with music and exhibition dancing from the Britannia Morris Dancers, O'Shea -Ryan Dancers and the Dullard School of Dancing.

Two new events were introduced for this year's Festival: a Street Parade and the Celtic & Koori art exhibition.

The Street Parade proved to be a big hit with locals and visitors alike at the variety of participants in the parade. From vintage cars and tractors, crazy bikes, floats, Vietnam Veterans and Motor Cycle Club and many more. The parade finished in the Hopwood Gardens with an opening/ welcome ceremony followed by music from Clan MacLeod and the Echuca Brass Band.

Saturday afternoon included a number of workshops on music, Scottish Country Dancing and Celtic History. A popular workshop was a presentation on the History of the Pioneering Kelly Women.

The Twilight Concert, sponsored by the Moama Bowling Club, at the Kerrabee Sound Shell provided an excellent evening of entertainment compared by Jamie McKinnon with the Barley Shakes as the main act for the evening. A perfect setting for this family event.

Many local restaurants and clubs supported our festival over the weekend with bands playing for their dinner guests, which was greatly appreciated.

Sunday morning started with an open air Celtic Worship service in the Kerrabee Sound Shell with people from local congregations and visitors from interstate and nearby towns.

Sunday afternoon was a continuation of street music and dancing, concluding with a concert by Braemar of their music and drama presentation of Lochaber No More. A moving presentation with songs and narration, that leaves a lasting memory of the struggles of early Scotland during the Jacobite uprising.

We were pleased to welcome visitors to the Festival from interstate, Melbourne and many other parts of Victoria. This included the opportunity to host a large group of Skilled Migrants from Shepparton.

This year we were able to include a visit to a local aged care facility where entertainment was provided by Colin MacLeod and Jamie McKinnon, who delighted the residents with old favorite songs and gentle soothing music. One of the 90 year old residents found a new spring to her step and danced some of the music which reminded her of her home town in Scotland.

As we close the book on the 2010 Festival, a new one has begun for 2011 with ideas for introducing new events and broadening the interest in featuring different Celtic peoples.

We look forward to welcoming our old and new friends to the 2011 Echuca Moama Celtic Festival 18-19-20 March.