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Cape Breton Scottish Musical Traditions Featured at America's Largest Celtic Festival - Milwaukee Irish Fest
Another sign of the surge in Celtic identity in North America is the report in the Irish American web site "Irish Central" that the Milwaukee Irish Festival to be held August 15 - 18 on the shores of Lake Michigan is expecting an astonishing 130,000 revelers. The Irish Central calls this the "..world's largest Irish festival..", no doubt excluding St. Patrick's day celebrations.
The organisers of the Milwaukee Irish Fest give us the following from their Web Page: "Our Mission is to Promote all Aspects of Irish Culture , and Instill in Future Generations an Appreciation of Irish Heritage". Patrick Boyle, Executive Director of the festival is quoted by Irish Central, "We travel the world in search of the finest in Celtic entertainment. After seeing many phenomenal bands perform in their home towns, we cannot wait to share their talent with our guests."
Calling this event an "Irish Fest" belies the truly Pan Celtic nature of the Festival's impressive line-up. A review of the web page shows bands from the Scottish, Irish and Galician Celtic musical traditions will be on hand along with the the iconic American Folk Singer Tom Paxton and the incongruous addition of the Hot Chili Peppers. Along with the stunning catalogue of performers, the Festival schedule includes performance and instruction in Irish Dance.
This year the Festival's organisers are highlighting the Scots Gaelic traditions of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. The trade group "Music Nova Scotia" is partnering with the 2013 Milwaukee festival. Brian Doherty, President of Music Nova Scotia, is quoted by the Irish Central; "Given our history and unique cultural experience, Nova Scotia has become one of the major international centers for traditional Celtic music. We're delighted once again for the opportunity to bring some of our finest performers to Milwaukee Irish Fest and we will continue to foster our long-term relationship with one of the most important and largest events of this kind in the world."
- Niall McCarsten's blog
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