All things Scottish, Irish and Welsh will be feted Saturday, Sept. 11 and Sunday, Sept. 12 at Kew Gardens Park during the Beach Celtic Festival.
The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Dubbed Toronto's only open-air Scottish ceilidh, the Beach Celtic Festival is designed to celebrate the rich history of those of Scottish, Irish and Welsh descent who have called Canada their home for generations. The 2010 edition will feature Scottish Pipes and Drums, the Gilchrist Cavana School of Irish Dance, Bold Steps Scottish Dancers, Wild Geese Celtic Band, Don Graham and special guest musician Linda Welby from Ireland. On Sunday, Sept. 12, the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada-Toronto Association will play a special tribute to Pipe Major Donald Sutherland, grandfather of the festival's creators and producers Charles Robertson, Sandy Graham-Robertson and Don Graham.The Beach residents created the event in 2004 in honour of their late parents, Jemima Sutherland-Graham, a Highland dancer born in Scotland, and Donald Arthur Graham, a Scottish-Canadian who was born and raised in the Beach. Toronto's 2009 Irish Person of the Year, Hugo Straney, will serve as the festival's master of ceremonies, while this year's Beach Celt of the Year is Lorraine Theed.There will also be ample food and sweets. For more information, visit www.thecelticfestival.com.Kew Gardens Park is located near Queen Street East and Lee Avenue.