Idol winner joins Celtic Fest

The National Celtic Festival is edging closer with the third and final line-up announced featuring 2006 Australian Idol winner Damien Leith.

Leith will join a jam-packed program for the June long weekend event that will see crowds of over 15,000 head to the Portarlington foreshore.

The festival is the premier Celtic gathering in Australasia and has become a major draw card for world class national and international acts.

Joining Leith is folk singer-song-writer Maria Forde, fiddler Declan Simpson and flute player Beth McCracken accompanied by Trouble in the Kitchen guitarist Benno Stephenson, and traditionalists Catherine Fraser Trio.

The festival attracts some of the best and most diverse Celtic Folk acts from across the country and the globe, bringing with them a twist of blues, classical, jazz, indie, rock and much more.

They join an already exciting and eclectic line-up of musical showcases including legends of the Irish music scene Altan (who will perform as part of their 30th anniversary tour) Scotland’s Paul McKenna Band, troubadours Hat Fitz and Cara, vibrant string three-piece Telenn Tri, multi-instrumental powerhouse Claymore; trad-folk icons Trouble in the Kitchen and Señor Cabrales, who will take you to Scotland via Spain.

Community, comedy, dance, literature, medieval sports and theatre troupes have also jumped on board the Bellarine bandwagon, with the likes of St Joseph’s College Celtic Group, the Victorian Irish Dance Academy and storyteller/comedian Eric Purdie poised to entertain the masses.

Visitors will be treated to The Folk Market which plays host to over 100 stalls and food vendors, bursting with fine food and fresh produce from a wide range of food trucks, along with delicious local wines, craft brews and spirits from Victoria’s bespoke distilleries.

For more information, head to nationalcelticfestival.com.