CELTS, KILTS AND COLORS

The 15th annual Celtic Festival begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 22, at the Kilgore Intermediate School campus on Chandler Street.

The event is sponsored by the Celtic Heritage Society of East Texas. Admission is $5 for adults; $2 for children (ages six to 12); and $4 for senior citizens.

The Pipes and Drums will open the festival at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, and two days of entertainment and Celtic activities will follow.

Clan tents will assist visitors in tracing their families and identifying their clans, crests and tartans. Celtic vendors will provide items ranging from authentic clothing, jewelry, armor and music. Continuous entertainment will be appearing on two stages.

Workshops are scheduled to teach the Celtic way to visitors. Both Scottish and Irish dancers will show off the intricate steps of their dances. An authentic Celtic storyteller will be spinning tales. Medieval Warriors will provide demonstrations on combat. Food and drink booths will be set up on the festival site.

Bagpipes will lead off the Grand March of the Clans at 1 p.m. Saturday. Another feature of the Celtic Festival is the children's "Wee Celt" area where youngsters can participate in events especially designed for them. At 3 p.m. the Dragon Egg Hunt will begin.

Gates will close at 6 p.m.

Sunday's activities begin with a worship service at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Kilgore. A typical Scottish church service will be followed by the Kirkin' (blessing) of the Tartans.

Festival gates open at 12:30 p.m. Entertainment, food, a "Bonnie Knees" Contest and other activities will complete the afternoon. Gates close at 6 p.m.