Calaveras Celtic Faire Underway
The 40th Annual Calaveras Celtic Faire kicked off today in Angels Camp. The three-day event, billed as the largest of its kind on the West Coast, celebrates Celtic heritage with traditional music, food, and cultural activities.
The event was founded in 1986 by Patrick Michael Karnahan as a small art show with a Celtic theme at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora. Initially, many locals were unfamiliar with Celtic culture, mistaking the name for a reference to the Boston basketball team. The first event, called a "Celtic Celebration of St. Patrick's Day," featured a few artists and two bands. Over the years, the faire has moved between venues in Tuolumne and Calaveras counties. It relocated to the Calaveras County Fairgrounds in Angels Camp for a period starting with the 12th faire, which saw attendance jump to over 10,000 people due to ample parking and space to expand. It later returned to Sonora in 2008 before its current iteration back in Calaveras County. This year's faire features a wide array of activities, including a full-contact jousting tournament by the Imperial Knights, Highland games with events like the caber toss, and over 100 craft and food vendors. Historically, the event has grown to include over 800 costumed performers who bring 2,000 years of Celtic history to life. Music has always been a central component, with some bands like Golden Bough performing at nearly every faire since its inception. This year's musical lineup includes acts like The Wicked Tinkers and The Black Irish Band, performing across four stages. The event celebrates the cultures of not just Ireland and Scotland, but also Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, the Isle of Man, Galicia, and Asturias. The opening day of the faire is traditionally an educational day for families and students, with a focus on historical and cultural learning, and no alcohol is served. The event is expected to draw around 15,000 attendees over the three days, providing a significant economic boost to the local area.
