July 2, 2008
Dear Clansmen and Fellow Celts,
We are excited and pleased to invite you to this year’s 21st Tucson Celtic Festival and Scottish Highland Games which is now a TWO DAY EVENT! We will begin Friday evening, October 31st with a Catered Dinner, Torchlight Ceremony of Honor and Ceilidh and continue Saturday and Sunday, 9:00am to 5:00pm each day. The location remains the same, at the Rillito Raceway Park, 4502 N. First Ave. in Tucson, Arizona.
Clans and organizations reserving a space on the field will have set up time on Friday, Oct. 31 from 12:00 noon to about 5:00pm. Golf carts will be available on Friday to assist in getting your equipment and belongings onto the field. If you are not finished by five, you can finish setting up early Saturday morning, form 7 to 8:30 am.
Please remember, because of the sprinkler system, driving is not allowed on the grass and, because the racetrack is still in use, driving on racetrack is allowed only in designated areas. Thank you for not driving around the track or on the grass.
Again, we are offering a Gourmet Catered Dinner with a Celtic Menu on the field from 6 – 7:30 pm. We are still finalizing the menu which promises to be better than last year. The cost is $20 and includes non-alcoholic drink, dinner and dessert.
The Festival's signature Torchlight Ceremony of Honor will be from 7:30-8:00 pm followed by the Ceilidh at about 8:00 pm. You Clan or Society registration will provide you two free passes to the Ceremony of Honor and Ceilidh. Additional tickets may be purchased along with your registration. Entertainment will be provided by a Tucson favorite, TBD. Our field is now lighted in the evening so plan to stay and enjoy yourselves. Bring a wrap since it chills down after sunset. We ask that your Clan or Society representative be in full attire for the Ceremony and ready to announce your presence to the Chief of the Festival & Games.
The Opening Ceremony for the Festival will be Saturday at noon. If you are participating in the clan procession, please be in line by 11:45 am. Also, please include with your application, a brief (no more than 4 lines) bio on your group, for the MC to read. Clans, Societies and other Celtic Organizations will be given a randomly selected numbered position in line to assist the MC in announcing your group. Be sure to hold your banners high! If you have dignitaries attending, please make us aware so they may be announced and recognized.
We look forward to seeing you again this year as we celebrate another Celtic Festival in Tucson!
Slainte,
Asherah Caldwell, President, TCFA
Donjia Tunison, Clan Chair