Celebration of Celts
Anne's Story
The first time I ever heard the bagpipe I knew I was home. I am one-half Scot and one-half Dutch which means that I am always at war with myself, “spend" says one half of my heritage while the other says, “don’t spend.”
Celebration of Celts was born out of tragedy. My late husband died of a brain tumor. After his death I wanted to do something for the Brain Tumor Foundation to help prevent other people from dying of this hideous disease.
Through my dear friend and now husband, John Charles Macpherson, Vice-Chairman of Clan Macpherson, I asked the Schenectady Pipe Band if they would do a benefit concert at the Hudson High School and they did. We raised over $9,000 for the Brain Tumor Foundation. So what was a nightmare as I watched my late husband fight for his life and lose the battle, turned into a victory and a celebration of life. Celebration of Celts was born.
With the help of the Columbia County Tourism Department, I love New York and the Hudson River Band and Trust Company, Celebration of Celts slowly began to grow into something bigger, but I never dreamt, well yes I did dream, that it would become as big as this year’s Celebration of Celts.
The Celtic World and its seven nations, Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall, Isle of Man, Wales, Brittany and Galicia have given so much to the world, especially the United States and yet very few people know who the Celts are and what a rich heritage of music, dance and art they have produced since about 2000 BC. At one time the Celts dominated Europe, ushered in the age of Iron, brought the horse from the steppes of Asia and created the template for our Declaration of Independence when in 1320 the Treaty of Arboath was written. This treaty was the first to recognize the right of an independent country free from British domination.
Today Americans with Celtic heritage make up more than 1/3rd of the population of the United States.
Celebration of Celts has grown to be the largest Pan-Celtic event on the east coast, although we did not plan it that way. I hope that everyone will come out to share the music, the dance and the beauty of the Celtic world on May 5 and 6, 2007 at the Columbia County Fair Grounds.
